Statement from CDPH on Citations to General Iron on Explosions at the Facility

May 21, 2020

Andrew Buchanan    andrew.buchanan@cityofchicago.org

CHICAGO — The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) yesterday issued two citations totaling up to $6000 to General Iron for violation of Illinois state pollution standards during two unexpected explosions that took place earlier in the week. In order to protect the health and wellness of residents in the surrounding area, CDPH is installing air quality monitors to better understand any potentially harmful substances that could have been emitted during the explosions and to more closely monitor the air going forward. These efforts come after the Chicago Department of Buildings and Chicago Fire Department issued a joint emergency closure order to General Iron. The business will remain closed, with the exception of regular onsite maintenance, machinery repairs, and removal of finished materials from the site, until a corrective action plan has been approved by the City and shared with the community. The City’s investigation of this event is on-going and results from the air quality monitors as well as additional details about the explosion and remediation actions will be provided to the community as they become available.