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October 25 HAVE YOUR SAY!!! Algoma Steel has applied for a new ECA (a licence to operate the new Electric Arc Furnaces). The details of the ECA will spell out the terms/conditions of operations for the next 5 years and are enforcible by the MOE/MECP!
The public NOW have an opportunity to comment on this application.
Here are some suggested comments that you can copy/paste in your submission:
Why were no documents supplied on the ERO posting?
Will the EAF be allowed to operate if the baghouse is not operating?
What are the particles that will be captured by the baghouse? Are they hazardous to human health or the environment? What happens to the "dust" that is collected by the baghouse? (See footnote below)
Will the scrap metal be cleaned and inspected before being placed in the EAF? Will there be any cleaning of the scrap metal on the ASI property? Will ithe cleaning be done in a controlled environment?
Will the predicted noise levels be confirmed before the EAF is fully commissioned?
The company wants to re-start #6 blast furnace: Will #6 blast furnace be allowed to operate without a functioning baghouse? In order to feed #6 BF , will ASI be required to buy coke on the open market? (see footnote below)
Will the coke ovens be totally decommissioned once both EAFs are functioning?
OR ...a simply state your concerns about the current environmental issues near "the Plant"!
Footnote: NOTE: A baghouse is an air pollution control device that uses fabric filter bags to capture particulate matter (dust, soot, and other small particles) from industrial emissions including from electric arc furnaces. One little-known fact about making steel using this type of furnace is it can produce dioxins and furans (as well as other pollutants). Dioxins and furans are highly toxic—even low-level exposure over time can harm human health, as these compounds accumulate in body fat. They've been linked to:
Cancer: Strongly linked to certain cancers.
Hormonal Disruption: Interferes with endocrine functions, affecting growth and development.
Immune System Damage: Weakens immune response, making the body more vulnerable to infections.
Reproductive and Developmental Issues: Affects fetal development and can reduce fertility.
Liver and Skin Damage: Causes chloracne, liver toxicity, and other skin disorders.
It's critical that there is a strong committment to ensuring that we will be protected from these substances, both in terms of ensuring steel making occurs only when baghouses are fully functioning and that all appropriate safety measures are followed when collecting and disposing of toxic dust.
Stay tuned in: ASI has also applied for a new Site Specific Standard (SSS) which will be posted on the ERO very soon!
May 20 2024 Why Algoma Steel was slapped with two new sets of ministry charges (www.sootoday.com/local-news/why-algoma-steel-was-slapped-with-two-sets-of-ministry-charges-8769500)
May 2024 ASI released its First Quarter AAQM reports showing several "excursions" of health related criteria! including sulfur. benzene and benzo(a)pyrene
March 17 2024 So what actually did happen on January 20, 2024??? Here is what was presented at the March 5 meeting of the CLC PowerPoint Presentation (algoma.com) The minutes of that meeting have yet to be posted.
February 7 2024 The company reports that that repairs have been made and that production should resume within a week! Algoma | Your Partner in Steel. Since 1901. While the blast furnaces were placed on limited production, there were 122 "upsets" in which " ovens charged to atmosphere" Process upset table for posting on internet (algoma.com)...probably because the bi-products could not be sent to the bi-products plant.
November 19 In case you missed the media release, here is the latest financial update from ASI INC Q1 FY2024 Earnings Call Presentation (algoma.com) There are some significant decreases from last year.
November 6 "EAF transition" seems to dominate the news coming from ASI. But what is EAF steel-making? This link to Britannica gives an good description of the difference between "BOF steel", which currently produced locally and "EAF steel". Steel - Electric Arc, Alloy, Refining | Britannica ...and a whole lot more about steel production. Many "mini-mills" already use the EAF process.
Here are a few excerpts from Sootoday: "Blast furnace slag is a waste byproduct of steelmaking. It contains silicon dioxide, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide and sulfur, and Algoma Steel's safety data sheet cautions that repeated exposure by dust inhalation may cause cancer."
"Inhalation may cause serious respiratory irritation or lung damage," the company also warns its employees. "Repeated inhalation may increase symptoms in individuals with pre-existing chronic lung disease." Also read the public comments at the end of the article.
August 10, 2023 ASI releases quarterly financial statements Algoma Steel Group Reports Fiscal 2024 First Quarter Financial Results | Algoma Steel Inc. BAD NEWS: In comments made by CEO Michael on sootoday.com... " We are uniquely positioned to simultaneously deliver strong financial results from our existing portfolio while advancing towards EAF commissioning, expected at the end of 2024,” In other words, the proposed shutdown of the #7 coke-ovens will be at least 6 months later than originally planned!
July 18 ASI recently updated is its air-quality reporting page Algoma Web (drdas.cloud). You can now see the air quality reports for the past seven days by "clicking-on" the particular parameter in the right-hand column,