Federal officials have identified portions of Huntington near the world’s largest nickel alloy production facility as an area of concern for toxic air pollutants.
Residential areas in the city’s eastern end may have been exposed to nickel emissions from Special Metals’ Huntington division, according to a news release from the Environmental Protection Agency. The agency noted long-term exposure to nickel emissions “can lead to non-cancer effects such as a risk of asthma, decreased lunch function and bronchitis.” The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a meeting for air quality experts to discuss these findings and answer questions from the public. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 30 at 6 p.m. inside the Marshall Health Network Arena’s Junior Ballroom.