New federal regulations to crack down on toxic air emissions from about 100 iron and steel foundries nationwide will take effect later this month, a spokesman for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Monday.

The new rules will cut annually about 580 tons of toxic air pollution that can cause cancer or other health problems.

The foundries, most of which the EPA said are operated by car and industrial manufacturers and their suppliers, will have three years to comply with the regulations. The EPA estimates the rule will cost foundries about $21 million each year to add and upgrade emissions controls, and to monitor, record and report the results.

That, in turn, is expected to hike domestic steel and iron prices for consumers by about $13.2 million, according to a copy of the rule, which is waiting to be published in the Federal Register this month. Domestic producers will likely see a $9 million drop in profits, while foreign producers "may experience profit gains of $1 million associated with the higher prices," according to the rule.

The domestic costs amount to fewer than 1 percent of the industry's annual revenues, Fruh said. Foundries owned by domestic steel and iron producers, which are already regulated, are not affected by the new rules. An environmental adviser to the American Foundry Society in Des Plaines, Ill., did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

On the Net:

Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.