EPA Files Complaint Against Asarco

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency filed a complaint against Asarco that alleges Clean Air Act violations at its copper smelter in Hayden, Ariz.

Asarco's September through December 2002 emission reports submitted to the EPA show that the facility emitted more than the allowable 20 percent of opacity emissions, and also failed to operate control equipment consistent with good air pollution control practices for minimizing emissions on 13 days between September and December 2002.

In October, the EPA, in coordination with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, sampled for 17 metals at over 200 public places and residences in Kearny, Hayden and Winkelman, Ariz. looking for possible soil contamination resulting from nearby smelter activities, and found elevated levels of arsenic and copper in Hayden and Winkelman.

Currently, the EPA is conducting a comprehensive investigation to determine the extent and nature of the elevated levels of arsenic and copper. The results from the additional soil sampling, air monitoring and water sampling will help identify potential risk to the community and determine whether any cleanup is necessary.