Class Action Settlement Benefits Residents Surrounding U.S. Steel Plant
Residents living near U.S. Steel’s Edgar Thomson Steel Works plant in Braddock, Pennsylvania, may soon receive compensation following a class action lawsuit alleging that emissions from the facility created a nuisance and contributed to air pollution. An Allegheny County judge recently granted preliminary approval for the settlement, which will provide financial relief to eligible community members and fund environmental improvements. The 2022 lawsuit accused U.S. Steel of allowing excessive emissions from the Edgar Thomson plant, impacting the health and quality of life of those living in the surrounding neighborhoods. Residents reported persistent air pollution, unpleasant odors, and concerns about the long-term health effects of exposure to industrial emissions.
As part of the settlement, U.S. Steel has agreed to pay $1.5 million to residents who have lived within approximately one mile of the facility since November 2020. These individuals will have the option to submit a claim for a payment, object to the settlement, opt out entirely, or take no action. Additionally, U.S. Steel has committed to spending $4.6 million on “environmental improvement measures” aimed at reducing emissions and addressing concerns raised by the community. However, the company continues to deny all legal claims. Residents eligible for compensation must submit their claims by March 31, 2025, while those wishing to opt out or object to the settlement have until March 17, 2025. Claim forms are available online, providing impacted individuals with a way to seek financial relief for the ongoing environmental issues they have faced.
Additional U.S. Steel Violations in Western PA
The settlement over the Edgar Thomson plant is not the first time U.S. Steel has faced legal and regulatory challenges regarding its environmental impact. The company has been scrutinized for years due to its emissions from multiple facilities in southwestern Pennsylvania, most notably the Clairton Coke Works, the largest coke manufacturing facility in the United States. The coke plant has been at the center of multiple legal battles and regulatory penalties due to excessive emissions of benzene and other volatile organic compounds. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has repeatedly fined U.S. Steel for failing to meet air quality standards, citing numerous violations that have endangered residents of Clairton and surrounding communities.
In January 2024, U.S. Steel agreed to a $42 million settlement in a Clean Air Act enforcement lawsuit, marking the largest penalty of its kind in Pennsylvania’s history. This settlement aimed to upgrade the Clairton plant, reduce emissions, and establish public health funds. In February 2024, the Allegheny County Health Department issued a $1.99 million civil penalty against U.S. Steel for more than 365 alleged emissions violations at the Clairton Coke Works during 2022 and 2023. Additionally, environmental groups have successfully petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency to object to air quality permits issued to the Clairton facility, citing non-compliance with the Clean Air Act. Despite these penalties and legal actions, residents continue to report elevated levels of benzene and other pollutants.
Benzene Exposure and Blood Cancer
A major concern associated with steel production is benzene, a hazardous air pollutant and known carcinogen. While benzene is widely used in industrial applications, its presence in emissions from facilities like Edgar Thomson and Clairton raises significant public health and environmental risks. Long-term exposure to benzene has been linked to serious health conditions, including leukemia, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Short-term exposure can cause dizziness, headaches, respiratory irritation, and nausea. Given these dangers, communities near steel plants have expressed increasing concern over air quality and the potential health consequences of prolonged exposure to industrial pollutants.
Goldberg, Persky & White, P.C. has a long history of representing individuals affected by toxic exposures and industrial pollution. Their team understands the complexities of benzene-related claims and has successfully helped families seek justice and compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. If you or a loved one has suffered health complications due to benzene exposure, contact Goldberg, Persky & White today to discuss your case and explore your legal options.
