Moroun company cited again for asbestos dust at Trenton steel plant demolition

Keith Matheny
Detroit Free Press

A company owned by the family of shipping magnate Manuel "Matty" Moroun was cited for a second time this year by state environmental regulators over potentially asbestos-containing dust leaving a massive demolition site at the former McLouth Steel plant off West Jefferson Avenue in Trenton.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy announced the violation on Wednesday. Cited are Crown Enterprises Inc., a Warren-based development firm run by Matthew Moroun, son of Matty Moroun, and 21st Century Salvage/Next Generation Environmental Inc., an Ypsilanti-based contractor doing demolition work at the McLouth site. The property is listed as owned by MSC Land Company, LLC, which has the same address as Crown Enterprises in Warren.

The Detroit Steel Company, later known as the McLouth Steel Company at 1491 W. Jefferson Ave. in Trenton, as it appeared in October 2017.

According to EGLE's notice of violation, an inspector from the agency's Air Quality Division performed an asbestos inspection at the site of the ongoing demolition on Nov. 6. During the inspection, EGLE staff witnessed the demolition of a large, industrial, "asbestos-containing" oven. 

"During the demolition of the oven, there was a large cloud of dust (visible emissions) that traveled north of the location and eventually off site," the violation notice states. The company was using water before and during the demolition in an apparently failed attempt to control dust.

According to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, "there can be no visible emissions if the structure is being demolished as asbestos containing," the violation notice states.

The long-standing, chronically problematic brownfield site in Trenton is being eyed by the Morouns for a new transportation facility that would fit into the family’s vast shipping and trucking empire — though area residents hope to have input on how the property is ultimately used. 

Among the Morouns' most prominent holdings are the Ambassador Bridge and, until its sale in June 2018 to Ford Motor Co. for a new headquarters, the Michigan Central Station.

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EGLE is requiring a written response to the violation notice from both Crown and 21st Century by Dec. 16, explaining the cause of the violation, a summary of actions taken to correct it, and what steps are being taken to prevent a recurrence.

"EGLE will continue to coordinate with federal, state and local agencies to protect human health and the environment during the clean-up and abatement activities at the former McLouth Steel Property," the agency stated in a news release.

Crown and 21st Century were also cited by EGLE in January, when an inspector reported finding multiple locations at the demolition site where asbestos-containing products were "friable," or in a dry, crumbling condition, in violation of state and federal air quality regulations.

Crown Enterprises president Michael Samhat, in an email to the Free Press Wednesday, said, "MSC intends to work with EGLE and the EPA to amicably resolve the recently issued (notice of violation)."

The company has committed to no further demolition of industrial stoves at the site "until the parties meet to resolve" the violation.

"MSC has great confidence in the licensed contractors and environmental professionals hired to perform the work at the site," Samhat stated. "These contractors were approved by MSC, EPA and EGLE. These contractors have been directed to ensure the work on site complies with all laws and regulations."

Breathing asbestos particles, particularly over a long term, can lead to lung cancer and other lung disorders, according to the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Newly elected Trenton City Council member Wendy Pate said officials are awaiting air monitoring data to measure asbestos levels in the dust "to determine what actions are needed and who it may have affected or not.

"On a recent bus tour it was explained to us that they removed the first stove as a test case to be sure the other stoves' removal would be done properly; the violation occurred on the third stove taken down. The two remaining stove work has been suspended until the case is resolved."

Contact Keith Matheny: 313-222-5021 or kmatheny@freepress.com. Follow on Twitter @keithmatheny.