Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with Federal Cartridge Co., located at 900 Bob Ehlen Drive in Anoka, Minnesota, for alleged Clean Air Act violations. The EPA estimates that the settlement will reduce air emissions by more than 1,700 pounds of particulate matter per year and over 400 pounds of lead annually. Under the terms of the settlement, Federal Cartridge is required to reduce lead and particulate matter emissions and pay $349,471 in penalties.
Federal Cartridge melts and processes lead to manufacture ammunition. In 2022, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency installed an ambient air monitor at the facility after detecting lead emissions above permitted levels. Results indicated that lead concentrations exceeded the Minnesota ambient air quality standards of 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter for lead in ambient air. This assessment was based on a three-month rolling average with concentrations surpassing standards from December 2022 to June 2023.
The EPA issued notices of violation to Federal Cartridge, alleging that the facility failed to meet air pollution control equipment requirements and violated the ambient air quality standard for lead.
As part of the settlement, Federal Cartridge has installed three new lead-controlling baghouses with secondary high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems. Additionally, scavenger hooding will be installed in lead-processing areas to route previously uncaptured emissions to baghouses equipped with secondary HEPA filtration. The company will also implement a fugitive dust plan and continue monitoring and investigating lead levels measured in ambient air. Currently, average lead concentrations monitored near the facility are below Minnesota's ambient air quality standards.
The EPA's mission is to protect human health and the environment. Research indicates that pollutants like particulate matter can increase heart disease risk and other health issues, while reductions in air pollution are linked to widespread public health benefits.
For more information about the Clean Air Act or on lead and air quality, visit EPA’s website.