DEARBORN — Hazardous environmental conditions in the South End and Southwest Detroit are expected to worsen under the recent passing of a controversial permit that allows one of the state’s largest polluters, to release higher levels of toxic fumes into the air. 

On Monday, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Air Quality Division (AQD) Chief Vinson Hellwig approved the permit after hearing several testimonies from concerned residents in opposition to it only two months earlier. 

Hellwig attended a public hearing March 19 that included a public comment section regarding proposed changes to the steel company, Severstal’s factory. 

Hellwig says the AQD received 38 written comments during the public comment period, and 44 verbal comments were presented at the public hearing.

“After careful consideration of the issues and pursuant to the delegation of authority, from the director of the MDEQ, I have approved PTI NO. 182-05C with modifications made to the proposed permit,” Hellwig said in a letter dated May 12. 

The permit allows some toxic pollutants such as lead, carbon monoxide, and PM10 (fine dust) to be doubled, tripled, quadrupled, even increased by more than 7200 percent, according to a report. 

Only one day after the permit was approved, a meeting between representatives from Severstal and members of a newly formed advisory committee comprised of community members and environmental groups was held. 

During the meeting, discussions were held about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) going into a contractual agreement with Severstal to implement Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEP).   

Last week The Arab American News (TAAN) reported that officials from the EPA and MDEQ held a community forum to get input on potential SEP, and discuss enforcement action against Severstal. 

Adel Mozip, a Dearborn resident and member of the advisory committee who was at the meeting Tuesday, says Severstal presented three different strategies that would address pollution concerns, and may be part of the enforcement action. 

The first is to install more monitoring electronic systems to measure emissions and display data for the public to see on a regular basis with the hiring of independent monitors; Secondly, conduct a scientific study to examine related diseases in the community linked to the pollution, and lastly install a comprehensive air filtration system at both Salina schools to minimize small-particles from the air.

Mohammed Ahmed, a longtime resident of the  South End who has worked on getting environmental conditions improved in the area for years, is one of a few residents who have recently filed a lawsuit against Severstal over the issue.  He says a few other lawsuits filed by residents against the company are also pending. 

Ahmed says in the past the company has made similar promises regarding controlling pollution, but not enough has improved. 

He says the residents suing the company  feel that at this point communication is not an option, and the issue needs to be taken to court. Ahmed is a member of the newly formed South Dearborn Environmental Improvement Association. 

“We knew from day one that it was already a done deal. We don’t want money. We don’t want anything, except to have the pollution controlled. I feel hurt when I see my people like this…Do you know how many kids in the area are already sick and have respiratory problems because of the pollution? Now it is going to get worse for them,” Ahmed said. 

Some people have taken notice at what appears to be a division in the community between the residents filing lawsuits, and those on the advisory committee. 

Mozip says getting the emissions reduced and eliminated is a top priority. 

Even without the advisory committee, Severstal would still be considering an SEP. Committee members are helping the company understand what types of projects are needed the most. Mozip says during the meeting Severstal discussed the possibility of a seven figure SEP. 

A copy of a letter obtained by TAAN and sent to ACCESS Community Health and Research Center Senior Director, Dr. Adnan Hammad from attorneys advocating on behalf of residents impacted by the pollution, asks the human service organization for information on environmental health research that it has been undertaking. Despite issuing a statement in opposition to passing the permit, the group still hasn’t responded to the request, according to a source. The letter was sent April 11. 

Published emails show the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Governor Snyder’s Business promoting agency worked for months with Severstal, as the company lobbied the MDEQ for permission to release higher level of pollutants and avoid certain air quality regulations. 

“The emails uncovered make it appear that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has been guided through a process that does not put the people’s best interest first,” State Representative Rashida Tlaib said. “The families I represent live under a tremendous amount of pollution. One in four children have asthma, and studies have shown that nearby neighborhoods are some of the most polluted ZIP codes in the state.” 

Tlaib says the MDEQ’s Air Quality Division is directed to minimize adverse impacts on human health and environment, but the emails confirm that their actions have been affected by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation leading the discussions on the companies. State Representative George Darany is the minority vice chairman of the House Health Policy Committee. “I certainly understand that good paying jobs are critical to our state, but it is imperative that we work together with the businesses in our community to follow the guidelines and rules established to protect our citizens and the future of this state,” Darany said. Residents in the area are being urged to take pictures of any black or orange dust material coming out of the Severstal facility and email it to the EPA at Walts.alan@epa.gov. If you have any questions regarding the permit, please contact  Annette Switzer, AQD, Permit Section, at 517.284.6803 or  switzera@michigan.gov.