U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has cited WCI Steel Inc. for alleged clean-air violations at the company's iron and steel plant in Warren, Ohio.

EPA alleges that WCI Steel violated its state operating permit and its permit to prevent deterioration of air quality by failing to control particulate (smoke, ash, dust) emissions from parts of two casthouses. The alleged violations were discovered during an EPA inspection in March and from information submitted by the company in June.

The findings are preliminary; to resolve them, EPA may issue a compliance order, assess an administrative penalty or bring suit against the company. WCI Steel has 30 days from receipt of the notice to meet with EPA to discuss resolving the allegations.