Gerdau-Fort Smith Mill – Emissions Trend

Fort Smith, AR · 2019–2023 · Parent: Gerdau Macsteel Inc

This page assembles 5 consecutive years of EPA Toxics Release Inventory Form R filings for Gerdau-Fort Smith Mill, spanning 2019–2023. Each annual total aggregates on-site air emissions, surface-water discharges, land disposal, and off-site transfers reported by the facility under EPCRA Section 313, which requires disclosure whenever a listed chemical is manufactured, processed, or otherwise used above threshold quantities.

Reported releases opened at 87.1K in 2019 and closed at 56.1K in 2023 – a decrease of 35.6% over the window. The chart below stacks the four TRI release media (air, water, land, off-site) and overlays the yearly total. The top contributor by cumulative mass is Zinc compounds at 364.9K, followed by Manganese compounds at 158.4K.

Because TRI figures are estimated, not metered, year-over-year deltas can reflect methodology revisions, ownership changes, or shifts in what a facility classifies as reportable, not only physical emission changes. Treat the trajectory as a disclosure record, and cross-reference with the EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) system for the fuller regulatory picture on this primary metals facility.

Overall Trend
↓ Decreasing (-35.6%)
2019 Total
87.1K lbs
2023 Total
56.1K lbs

Total Releases by Category

Air
Water
Land
Offsite Transfer
040.8K81.5K122.3K163.0K203.8K 20192020202120222023 Pounds Released

Year-over-Year Comparison

Year Total Chemicals YoY Change
2019 87.1K lbs 10 -
2020 77.8K lbs 11 -10.7%
2021 122.8K lbs 12 +57.9%
2022 203.8K lbs 13 +65.9%
2023 56.1K lbs 13 -72.5%

Top Chemicals by Year

Chemical 20192020202120222023 Total
Zinc compounds 53.0K 44.3K 84.2K 158.6K 24.8K 364.9K
Manganese compounds 30.1K 29.6K 33.5K 37.7K 27.5K 158.4K
Copper compounds 1.6K 1.6K 1.8K 2.3K 1.6K 8.9K
Chromium compounds (except for chromite ore mined in the Transvaal Region) 1.1K 979 1.5K 2.4K 999 6.9K
Lead compounds 867 932 1.3K 1.9K 682 5.6K
Nickel And Nickel Compounds - - 318 492 446 1.3K
Vanadium compounds 127 115 179 301 101 823
Nickel compounds 312 322 - - - 634
Barium compounds (except for barium sulfate (CAS No. 7727-43-7)) - - 63 93 25 182
Dioxin and dioxin-like compounds 3 3 3 3 3 16
Mercury compounds 2 1 3 5 1 12
Molybdenum trioxide 1 2 - - 1 4
Chlorine dioxide - - - - - 0
Sodium nitrite - - - - - 0

About This Data

Trend data is sourced from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Facilities report annually. Release quantities are self-reported estimates. Year-over-year changes may reflect changes in production, pollution control measures, reporting methodology, or chemical thresholds.

A decrease in reported releases does not necessarily indicate improved environmental performance, as it may reflect production cutbacks, facility closures, or changes in reporting requirements. Similarly, increases may reflect expanded production rather than degraded environmental practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gerdau-Fort Smith Mill getting cleaner or dirtier?
Based on EPA TRI data from 2019–2023, Gerdau-Fort Smith Mill's total toxic releases have decreased by approximately 36%.
What time period does this trend data cover?
This page shows 5 years of EPA Toxic Release Inventory data from 2019–2023. Release quantities are self-reported estimates filed annually by the facility.