Lee Becquet, a resident of Miami, Arizona, has voiced his concerns regarding the health risks posed by pollution from a nearby industrial facility, which is among the largest sources of lead pollution in the United States. Lead is a recognized neurotoxin that can have severe health implications, particularly for children. Becquet remarked, "I have a toddler, and I’m not putting him outside in that. So we stay inside for days sometimes."

The facility in question is one of only two remaining copper smelters in the country, processing copper for various applications, including electronics and construction materials. Under regulations established by the Biden administration, the smelter's owner, Freeport-McMoRan, was required to implement technology to reduce its toxic emissions. However, in October, former President Trump granted the smelter a two-year exemption from compliance with limits on lead, arsenic, chromium, and other hazardous pollutants.

This exemption was issued without requiring Freeport-McMoRan to provide a comprehensive justification, such as an economic analysis or engineering study. Reports indicate that the process involved merely sending an email to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where a senior official provided guidance to the company's legal team. This incident reflects a broader trend during the Trump administration, which sought to weaken or eliminate various environmental protections that corporations considered overly restrictive. Over the past year, the administration has proposed rolling back more than a dozen regulations related to air pollution, water contamination, and greenhouse gas emissions.