Ambient Lead Emissions Incident
Gopher Resource understands the Eagan community has questions about an air emissions issue at our facility earlier in 2025, and we will continue to work with and provide answers to concerned stakeholders and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). At the center of our mission is our core value: protect people and communities. This commitment drives every decision we make, and we deeply regret the inconvenience and concern that this incident has caused the Eagan community.
What Happened and How We Responded
In early 2025, through Gopher Resource’s internal testing protocols, we became aware of elevated readings of ambient lead on one of our air monitors located near our facility. Upon identifying the issue, Gopher Resource immediately notified the MPCA and investigated the cause. We determined a piece of equipment had malfunctioned and we promptly took it out of service. We quickly implemented design enhancements to our equipment and operational improvements to prevent this from happening again.
The MPCA inspected the Gopher Resource facility and confirmed that the source of the elevated readings had been resolved. Further, the MPCA has reported that air monitoring results have returned to levels well below the applicable standards. As a company, Gopher Resource is continuing to actively work with the MPCA and remain in compliance with all federal and state environmental regulations for lead emissions.
Area of Focus
The MPCA has identified a small area of potential impact for this event that extends 500 feet from the fence line of the Gopher Resource facility.
City of Eagan Soil Testing Confirms Lead Levels Well Below EPA Concern Thresholds
The City of Eagan collected 40 soil samples across wide active use areas of Thresher Off-Leash Dog Park, Thresher athletic fields and Burr Oaks Park near the facility to be tested for lead.
All results are well below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) residential soil threshold for concern. This means the lead levels found in these parks are considered low and not a health concern under current EPA guidelines.
Community Health Information
Based on the MPCA’s data, the elevated air monitor readings occurred in early 2025 and then promptly decreased. By April, the measure used for regulatory compliance returned to levels well below the applicable federal standard. It is important to understand that exposure to lead does not always lead to adverse health effects. The impact on a person’s health depends on various factors, including the method of exposure, the duration of exposure, and individual factors.
As noted during the MPCA, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Dakota County virtual Public Meeting on July 21, 2025, MDH advised, “Typically, MDH does not see increases in elevated blood lead levels from this type of air release alone.” MDH further stated that “it is not advising doctor visits solely due to this event.”
MDH data from the area around Gopher Resource does not indicate higher-than-normal levels of lead in children, and in fact, is significantly lower than the rest of Minnesota.
Keeping Communities & Workers Safe
Gopher Resource takes the health and safety of our workers and the communities in which we operate very seriously. We are focused on ensuring our lead battery recycling process is continually managed in a safe, clean, and environmentally responsible way.
Every year, we make substantial investments in our facilities to ensure our operations not only meet, but often exceed the highest environmental and health and safety regulatory standards in the industry.
Following All Laws & Regulations
Gopher Resource is, and always has been, dedicated to serving as a sound environmental steward.
The lead battery industry is one of the most highly regulated and monitored industries in the U.S., subject to stringent environmental, health and safety laws and regulations related to lead exposure, lead concentrations in environmental media (e.g., soil, water, and air), and blood lead levels for individuals.
We are committed to strict compliance with all applicable laws and regulatory requirements, and in many cases go above and beyond what is required to protect our employees and communities.
Gopher Resource works closely with environmental agencies in connection with the multiple layers of high-tech air quality monitoring systems surrounding our facilities, and our operating buildings have advanced air filtration systems designed to protect the environment, our workers and the communities in which we operate. Additionally, our operating permits require robust reporting and regular communication with regulators.
