ArcelorMittal Dofasco investigating 'malfunction' behind red dust cloud
Company says the emission lasted 14 minutes and would have mostly been iron oxide
It was supposed to be a normal drive up the escarpment before a Saturday afternoon hike, but what Desiree Burgos saw out the window made her nervous: A cloud of red dust pumped out into the air from ArcelorMittal Dofasco.
"My first thought was if that was going to affect us, if we breathe that," she told CBC Hamilton.
"The smoke was very close to my house and I have a baby so I was concerned," she said, noting she lives in the lower city.
She took a video of the plume and shared it on X, formerly Twitter.
ArcelorMittal Dofasco said it is investigating the "malfunction" that sent a red dust cloud into the air.
The cloud, consisting of mostly iron oxide, was in the air for roughly 14 minutes, according to an online statement from the steelmaker.
The issue occurred in the process of blowing oxygen at the company's steelmaking furnace, known as a KOBM vessel.
Dofasco said it contacted the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Parks and Conservation's Spills Action Centre, and its own teams are investigating.
Gary Wheeler, spokesperson for the ministry, said the company reported the incident immediately and the ministry is following up to learn more about what happened.
What impacts could iron oxide have?
Ian Borsuk, executive director of Environment Hamilton, said iron oxide itself isn't carcinogenic but could have impacts on people's health and the environment given how long it could be seen in the air.
"Just because the particulate matter itself isn't carcinogenic, that doesn't mean it didn't have other contaminants mixed up with it," Borsuk said.
"It isn't something absolutely horrible, but it's still not good for human health."
Wheeler said "potential impacts" include soiling and fallout on vehicles and property.
Giuliana Casimirri, executive director of Green Venture, called the situation "frustrating."
"Residents and community groups are trying so hard to create patches of greenspace and improve air and water quality for local residents," Casimirri said.
"ArcelorMittal Dofasco needs to recognize that their social license to operate is wearing thin and they should do whatever it takes to ensure 'malfunctions' never happen again and they reverse whatever damage was caused by this."
Borsuk said Dofasco has been doing good work to reduce the number of incidents like these from occurring, but this weekend raises "significant alarms" and he looks forward to seeing the steelmaker co-operate with the province.
Borsuk said anyone with video and photos of the incident should send it to the ministry along with details about when and where the photos and videos were taken.
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