Nov 25, 2024 Story by: Editor
A recent report from Industrious Labs highlights the alarming health consequences of Michigan’s coal-based steel and coke production facilities, with just two plants contributing to an estimated 40-80 premature deaths and over 20,000 asthma cases annually.
The report, conducted by Industrious Labs, an organization dedicated to reducing emissions from heavy industries and advancing cleaner technologies, analyzed emissions data from 17 facilities across six states. It identified Michigan’s EES Coke facility in River Rouge, owned by DTE Energy, as one of the state’s top industrial polluters. This facility ranked 5th among more than 661 major Michigan emitters for sulfur dioxide emissions and 4th for fine particulate matter.
EES Coke: A Major Polluter
“The findings regarding EES Coke are pretty shocking,” said Nick Leonard, Executive Director of the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center, in an interview with Planet Detroit. “We’ve known for a long time that EES Coke is one of the worst polluters in Michigan, but this report shows that it is one of the worst polluters even when compared to other Coke facilities.”
Leonard’s organization, along with other advocacy groups, is suing EES Coke over its environmental impact. According to the report, EES Coke emits more sulfur dioxide than any other Coke facility reviewed, including Pennsylvania’s Clairton Coke facility, which has tripled its production capacity.
“It also emits significantly more pollution than other coke facilities with similar production capacity, resulting in more severe local health impacts,” Leonard added.
Health Toll of Michigan’s Top Polluters
The study revealed the following impacts of Michigan’s two major facilities:
EES Coke (River Rouge)
- Contributes to 29-57 premature deaths annually
- Linked to 15,387 asthma symptom cases
- Causes approximately 2,707 work loss days
- Results in 3,329 school loss days
Cleveland-Cliffs Dearborn Works
- Associated with 11-23 premature deaths annually
- Contributes to 5,355 asthma symptom cases
- Causes 1,156 work loss days
- Results in 659 school loss days
Combined, these facilities generate an estimated $600 million to $1.2 billion in annual health-related costs for Michigan communities.
Call for Cleaner Technologies
“This report shows that dirty, antiquated steelmaking is putting residents’ health at risk, contributing to asthma and premature deaths,” said Kathryn Savoie of the Clear the Air Coalition. “Our community deserves clean air. Cleveland Cliffs and DTE need to replace their dirty steelmaking with cleaner, greener technology.”
The Dearborn Works steel plant, while responsible for fewer health impacts than EES Coke, still ranks 6th in the state for fine particulate matter emissions. Additionally, the facility was responsible for over 1 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions in 2022, significantly contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
The report underscores the urgent need for cleaner and more sustainable technologies to reduce the harmful effects of steelmaking and coke production on public health and the environment. Source: Planet Detroit
