ArcelorMittal Dofasco charged in 2015 soot fallout on neighbourhood

The Ontario Ministry of Environment has laid charges against ArcelorMittal Dofasco after black grit fromone of the company's blast furnacesfell on a north Hamilton neighbourhood in February2015.

The charges stem from a visible air emission, calleda blast furnace bleeder pop, from Dofasco's iron-making operations. That's when a blast furnace's safety valve is triggered due to high pressure in the furnace.

The charges were laid in September, but the company appeared in Hamiltoncourt on the charges Tuesday. A new date has been set for January.

The Ministry says the company is facing two charges related to"discharging contaminants from a blast furnace."

The first relates to that discharge causing anadverse effect to the environmentandthe second relates to the impact on the community, specifically "causing loss of enjoyment of normal use of property."

A company spokeswoman said the steel company is cooperating with the Ministry, and added"it would not be appropriate to comment further on the charges at this time".

The Ministry also declined to comment.

• Soot-like substance falls from the sky on to North Hamilton homes

• Environmental probe of emissions incident to take months

On February 9, 2015, Grenfell Street residents said they saw a black cloud emerge above the steel facility, then blow over their homes around 1:45 p.m. that day. Snowbanks, homes and vehicles onGrenfellStreet were coated with a coarse black grit and the area councillor said he received complaints about fallout from as far away aseast Mountain. Grenfellisnear Beach Road and Kenilworth Avenue North.

The next week, the company confirmed that "very fine particulate of coke and iron" fell after the "operational upset" at one of its blast furnaces.

Dofasco spokesperson MarieVerdun said Tuesday that the company is committed to always improving its business, including its impacts on the environment and community.