The Center for Public Integrity

Betty Amparano said her children had high levels of lead and other metals in their blood. More than 200 other residents also complained of health issues, sued, and obtained a settlement from Asarco.

Asarco’s smelter turns ore into nearly pure copper bars. The EPA alleges the company has been in “continuous violation” of the Clean Air Act for excessive emissions of arsenic, lead and other metals since 2005.

Della Soliz-Bustamante and Andy Bustamante live across from the smelter. They said they fear that a cleanup of soil tainted by airborne chemicals hasn’t gone far enough.

Some residents of Hayden, Ariz., believe that emissions of toxic metals from the Asarco copper smelter have caused cancer and other maladies. The EPA has accused Asarco of underreporting such emissions.

Nellie Acton has lived across the ravine from the Asarco plant for all her life. She’s frustrated by the noise and smell of the plant, which she believes has hurt her health.

Asarco’s smelter turns ore into nearly pure copper bars. The EPA alleges the company has been in “continuous violation” of the Clean Air Act for excessive emissions of arsenic, lead and other metals since 2005.