The Steel-Built Legacy Now Turning Lethal

Gary, Indiana, once hailed as a steel powerhouse, now finds itself under a shadow not of industry but of illness. Founded in 1906 by U.S. Steel, the city was built to serve America’s industrial might. However, what once promised economic vitality has now become a health hazard. Residents, many of whom settled during the Great Migration for stable jobs, are now facing a different crisis, a possible connection between their environment and the surging rates of cancer and respiratory illness.

25 Million Pounds of Toxins: EPA’s Sobering Revelation

According to 2023 data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Gary’s trio of coal-burning steel plants, Burns Harbor, Gary Works, and Indiana Harbor, collectively released over 25 million pounds of toxic pollutants. This volume exceeds the combined output of similar plants in other U.S. cities such as Middletown, Braddock, and Cleveland. The toxins include particulate matter, benzene, lead, mercury, and volatile organic compounds, all linked to severe health issues like asthma, cardiac disease, and various forms of cancer.

From Steel Dust to Speech Loss: Beryl Fitzpatrick’s Ordeal

Beryl Fitzpatrick, a lifelong resident of Gary, is one among many whose health has taken a dire turn. Diagnosed with Stage 3 tongue cancer, she lost part of her tongue and had to relearn how to speak. Despite never smoking or drinking, common risk factors, she developed a rare cancer. Her physician, Dr. Kerstin Stenson of Rush University Medical Center, suspects a strong link between her condition and chronic exposure to airborne toxins in Gary’s industrial zones.

Disproportionate Health Risks in Communities of Color

The implications are deeply racial and socio-economic. Gary’s population is over 76% Black, with an average household income of under $23,000 a year. According to Industrial Labs, the residents living near these steel facilities face a 12% to 26% increased cancer risk. Asthma rates are among the highest in the country. Dr. Mihir Bhayani, another specialist from Rush, is conducting research to definitively link head and neck cancers to ambient air pollutants. He warns of a looming public health disaster if emissions regulations are not tightened.

Toothless Regulations & Negligible Deterrents

Despite multiple infractions, the response from regulatory agencies has been inadequate. CBS News analysis reveals that since 1977, 152 formal enforcement actions have been taken against these steel plants for Clean Air Act violations. Collectively, they’ve paid $23 million in penalties, pocket change for billion-dollar firms. For example, Gary Works alone was fined nearly $10 million, while Indiana Harbor paid $11 million. Yet, these plants continue to legally emit vast quantities of harmful substances, exploiting regulatory gaps.

Environmental Justice Dismantled & Disparities Widened

Previously, Gary and similar communities received targeted federal support under the EPA’s Environmental Justice office. However, in April 2025, the office was dissolved after being labeled a DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) initiative. This rollback has further marginalized vulnerable populations already bearing the brunt of industrial pollution. By contrast, Middletown, Ohio, home to a mostly white population and a median income of $30,000, was awarded a significant portion of a $500 million federal grant to modernize its steel plant and reduce toxic output.

Corporate Rebuttals & Public Distrust

U.S. Steel, the operator of Gary Works, has publicly dismissed the findings of Industrial Labs, claiming the reports were designed to attract media attention rather than draw scientific conclusions. The company insists its emissions are within legal limits and that existing filtration systems meet all regulatory standards. Cleveland-Cliffs, which operates Indiana Harbor, also declined interviews but released statements echoing similar sentiments. These responses have done little to assuage public concerns, especially among residents like Fitzpatrick, who feel betrayed by the very industry that once sustained them.

Demands for Reform Grow Louder

Gary’s Mayor, Eddie Melton, has called for stricter emissions standards and an end to regulatory rollbacks. Himself an asthma sufferer, Melton argues that public health must no longer be sacrificed for industrial profit. Environmental groups, including Industrial Labs, continue to push for accountability and investment in green steel technologies. As studies linking pollution to cancer become increasingly irrefutable, the pressure on both corporations and government agencies is mounting.

Key Takeaways

• In 2023, Gary’s three coal-burning steel plants released over 25 million pounds of toxic pollution, more than all similar U.S. plants combined.

• Residents living near the plants face a 12%–26% higher risk of cancer, with Gary ranking among the worst U.S. cities for asthma.

• Despite repeated EPA violations and $23 million in fines, steel giants like U.S. Steel and Cleveland-Cliffs continue operations with minimal deterrence.