The group bases its allegations on the most recent clean air and water permits from the Environmental Protection Agency and the City of Cleveland. Both the state and federal governments say the Cleveland mill is in compliance with pollution emission standards. But Ohio Citizen Action says Mittal Steel doesn't actually test the amount of soot billowing from its blast furnace. Instead, says Elizabeth Ilg, who authored the report, the EPA allows the plant to use industry averages to represent its actual pollution emissions.
Elizabeth Ilg: So rather than testing or providing current data, they are using these formulas based on facilities that have better or more pollutions controls in place.
In response to the report, Mittal Steel says it continuously works to improve it's emissions. It says soot and sulfur dioxide pollution coming from the plant has dropped over 50% since 1997. Lisa Ann Pinkerton, 90.3.