EPA Announces Settlement with St. Paul Brass for Alleged Violations of the Clean Air Act in Minnesota

EPA Announces Settlement with St. Paul Brass for Alleged Violations of the Clean Air Act in Minnesota

September 10, 2025

Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with the St. Paul Brass Foundry Co. for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act in March 2023 at a facility at 954 Minnehaha Ave. in the Frogtown neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota. The settlement will require the company to reduce lead and particulate matter emissions, which is already underway.

"EPA works side-by-side with state agencies to protect human health and the environment," said EPA Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel. "We're working closely with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to ensure St. Paul residents can breathe safely. This settlement will significantly reduce emissions and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will monitor air quality in the area going forward."

St. Paul Brass melts and processes lead-containing alloys to make castings for commercial, military and aerospace applications. In March 2023, EPA alleged St. Paul Brass violated its permit by failing to operate air pollution control equipment within acceptable ranges. In June 2023, EPA alleged St. Paul Brass violated EPA regulations for foundries.St. Paul Brass subsequently provided documentation of its compliance with these foundry rules.

EPA monitored air quality next to the St. Paul Brass facility between June and December 2024. This data showed compliance with EPA's air standard for lead. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) set up a permanent air monitoring site near the facility in June 2025. The state's initial month of results also show lead levels are below EPA's air standard.

The company has added high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filters to two existing baghouses, which will reduce lead and particulate matter emissions from those baghouses by 99.97%. The company will also be required to limit the maximum lead content of alloys produced. A new permit application must be submitted to MPCA that includes requirements to operate the new HEPA filters and limit lead content in alloys.

For more information about this settlement, visit EPA's website.