Cottonwood Residents Raise Health Concerns Over Dust from Slag Processing by Minerals Research Inc.
Residents of Cottonwood are worried about black dust from a historic copper smelter slag pile, which contains heavy metals like arsenic. Minerals Research Inc. has been crushing the slag for industrial use since 2015, generating dust that neighbors fear poses health risks. State regulators have faced criticism for permitting errors and safety oversight failures. Recent soil tests revealed arsenic levels exceeding state remediation standards. Further investigation is ongoing to determine the impact of the dust on community health.

Residents in Cottonwood are concerned about black dust from a historic copper smelter slag pile, containing heavy metals like arsenic. Since 2015, Minerals Research Inc. has crushed the slag for industrial use, generating dust that has raised health concerns.
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has faced scrutiny for permitting mistakes and safety oversight. Recent soil tests indicated arsenic levels above state remediation standards, prompting further investigation. ADEQ plans additional testing to assess the extent of contamination and potential health impacts on residents.




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