Mill explains efforts to protect environment Gerdau Ameristeel holds info. session in light of concerns BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer MICHAEL ACKER The Gerdau Ameristeel plant is funding two sets of tests on samples of material taken from nearby residential properties. SAYREVILLE - A steel mill that is the focus of emissions-related allegations last week gave residents the chance to ask questions and learn about the operation. Gerdau Ameristeel, which neighbors believe is the cause of a black dust material that accumulates on their properties, held a community information session at its plant for the public over the course of three hours Aug. 23. The Brazilian-based steel mill company, which is one of the largest producers of reinforcing bar in the Northeast, described the event as an effort to reach out to neighbors. Representatives of the company spoke of the mill's efforts to protect the environment and get to the bottom of some of the community's central concerns. Plant General Manager and Vice President Mark Quiring told Greater Media Newspapers during a press session earlier that day that the company has struggled to get its message to the public. The mill, which employs 300 workers, has not taken responsibility for the dust neighbors are finding on their property. It recently hired two independent laboratories to collect samples of the material from residents' properties for analysis. Company representatives said they hope the results of the analysis will be ready next month. Gerdau Ameristeel was created in 2002 out of a merger between Gerdau and Co- Steel, a company that operated the North Crossman Road steel mill after New Jersey Steel. Steve Ross, facilitator of the Sayreville steel mill's Community Advisory Panel (CAP), said Gerdau Ameristeel has emerged as a "major player by acquiring steel minimills all over the country." Gerdau Ameristeel currently operates over a dozen mills in the United States and over 30 worldwide. Ross said that the company is the No. 1 recycler of any kind in the state of New Jersey. The Sayreville plant manufactures recycled steel products for use in construction, automotive, mining and equipment manufacturing, as well as cellular and electrical transmission. Ross estimated that the mill converts 600,000 tons of scrap metal into over 500,000 tons of steel products. In January, Middlesex County fined the steel mill $1,000 for iron oxide emissions. The building where iron oxide was emitted was sealed earlier this summer, according to Quiring. Ross confirmed that the roof openings of the building were sealed in order to contain emissions. "It shouldn't happen again," Ross said. Guests at the information session were given information pamphlets, one of which included the company's philosophy on environmental management and respecting the communities where the company has operations. "Gerdau's steel mills use dust removal systems to efficiently filter gases and solid particles and prevent the emission of pollutants into the air," according to a Gerdau brochure. Another pamphlet described the company's efforts to minimize its emissions into the air through the use of baghouses that are designed to filter and clean the exhausts of the mill's furnaces. "Substantial investments are made every year to maintain and upgrade [our] steel mill furnaces and baghouse air filtration systems in order to improve air quality," the pamphlet states. An information sheet lists the ways in which the company is looking to eliminate sources of dust, by increasing efforts to apply dust suppressants on its property, sweeping and watering paved roads onsite, and installing new air monitors and a weather station to determine where the dust originates. In response to residents' complaints of noise, the company says that it will install noise-reducing equipment and post signs instructing truck drivers that state laws prohibit idling for more than three minutes. Gerdau representatives are expected to be present at a meeting of the Sayreville Environmental Commission on Sept. 5 at borough hall. Residents who have problems can call the company's toll-free community action line at (866) 543-1835. Complaints can also be made with the state Department of Environmental Protection at 1-877-WARN-DEP or the Middlesex County Air Pollution Control Program at (732) 745-8480. After-hours complaints can be reported to the Middlesex County Sheriffs Department at (732) 745-3271. Ross told Greater Media Newspapers that the CAP, which the mill formed to give residents a forum to discuss issues with the company, will continue to meet, and information sessions will be provided in the future to keep dialogue open between the mill and its neighbors.