Heavy Metals in Baltimore

Heavy metals have accumulated in Baltimore City from past and current industrial activity, automotive emissions, and lead-based paint.

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Bethlehem Steel Mill (In These Times)

The steel mill at Sparrows Point was the world’s largest steel mill at its peak in the mid 20th century. It was founded in 1889 by the Pennsylvania Steel Company, acquired in 1917 by Bethlehem Steel, then shut down in 2012.

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Baltimore Chrome Works was a chrome processing and manufacturing facility at Harbor Point that operated for over 140 years until 1985. Chromium is a heavy metal used in making stainless steel, chrome plating to reduce corrosion, and certain ink and paint pigments. Chrome ore processing residue (COPR), a byproduct from the plant, was used as fill material in Dundalk Marine Terminal and other areas around the harbor. COPR contains toxic hexavalent chromium, which leaches into groundwater.

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Wheelabrator’s BRESCO Incinerator in Westport (WBAL-TV)

Baltimore has two major operational waste incinerators: Wheelabrator’s BRESCO incinerator in the Westport neighborhood of South Baltimore, and Curtis Bay Energy’s medical waste incinerator. Incineration sends heavy metals into the air, which contaminate surrounding areas, and are estimated to have caused about $100 million in health damages in D.C. and Baltimore.

Curtis Bay Energy’s Medical Waste Incinerator (Baltimore Sun)

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View of CSX coal pits from Curtis Bay (Inside Climate News)

CXS Transportation operates a major coal export and storage terminal in Curtis Bay. The open-air coal pits generate coal dust that contaminates surrounding land, water and air with mercury, arsenic, and lead.

Activists calling for stricter pollution controls on CSX coal operations (Inside Climate News)

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Roadways and automobiles are some of the largest sources of heavy metals in the environment (BinBin)

Automotive emissions release heavy metals through the combustion of fuel and motor oils and the mechanical wear of vehicle parts. Brake wear primarily releases copper, while tire wear releases zinc. Lead in automobile emissions has declined significantly since leaded gasoline was phased out in the U.S. in 1975.

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Chipping lead paint on abandoned housing in the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood (AFRO)

Nearly 200,000 Baltimore homes were built before 1978, with more than 85,000 estimated to have lead hazards. Paint chips and dust can lead to high lead concentrations in near-building soils.