Cumulative Impact Laws Ignored in East Phillips

The MPCA lacks a sense of urgency in addressing high levels of asthma, cardiovascular disease, and other negative impacts in East Phillips

By KAREN CLARK AND H. LYNN ADELSMAN

As community members continue to demand Smith Foundry be shut down due to toxic emissions and continue to show up at meetings where the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) says it’s listening and cares, the strong odor continues.

On its website, the MPCA states: “The MPCA continues to focus on improving air quality in overburdened communities and to work toward environmental justice.”

However, in February 2024, Círculo de Amigos staff called to report the exposure of children at the child care center to a strong odor of toxic emissions, but no one from the MPCA responded with a site visit. There is no clear direction for what residents can do, or what MPCA is actively doing to reduce harmful exposures to residents in East Phillips, Little Earth, and the surrounding communities. Use of an asthma inhaler due to heavy pollution should not be the norm, nor should it be an acceptable way of life for anyone in Minneapolis.… Read the rest “Cumulative Impact Laws Ignored in East Phillips”