Lorain releases Republic Steel inspection reports

LORAIN — Reports from Lorain's warrant search of Republic Steel highlighted fire and potential environmental health hazards. Reports from Lorain's building and fire departments and Lorain County Public Health list myriad issues found at the hulking East 28th Street complex during a search late last month. On April 25, workers entered the site via city property off Tacoma Avenue, predicated on drone footage from the week before that showed buildings beginning to crumble in on themselves. The reports from the April 25 warrant service highlighted findings of unsafe conditions in several structures, failing roofs and exterior walls, rubbish and weeds. Building, Housing and Planning Director Matt Kusznir said the property was worse than he expected. Republic Steel has until July 1 to remedy the issues or face the city's housing court. Lorain Fire Lt. Ben Weber's report highlighted several dangerous conditions including fire hazards throughout the inspected property, structural hazards, debris, improper storage of combustible materials, electrical hazards including open wiring, and a lack of fire alarms or extinguishment systems. Lorain County Public Health's environmental health staff joined city workers on April 25. Their report found several environmental health issues including standing water in basements and pits; areas for rodents; waste accumulation throughout the property; possible lead-based paint; potential lead hazards from past industrial uses; and chemical containers leaking onto the ground. According to LCPH's report, the buildings inspected were constructed prior to 1978, when lead paint use was banned at the federal level, leading to an increased risk of lead-based paint throughout the structures. There was also reportedly standing water in a large pit in one of the buildings, and a sheen on the dirt floor near it "indicative of a chemical spill" which could be draining into the pit. The report stated the pit itself was being drained via a hose to a mobile treatment system. Lorain County Health Commissioner Mark Adams said while the facility may be closed, it is not absolved of environmental health concerns. He said LCPH staff may begin looking at a retrospective study to see if there are chronic health impacts linked to the mill's operation. Kusznir said the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will be on the property this week with staff from Lorain's Utility Department to determine if the company complies with Ohio EPA permits. In January, the federal EPA signed a stipulation agreement with Republic Steel regarding alleged violations of the Clean Water Act at the Lorain and Canton mills. Republic Steel agreed to pay a $700,000 civil penalty. Republic Steel, and its parent company Grupo Simec, did not respond to a request for comment on Monday. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.