Stephen McCaslin, of Tonawanda, said conditions at Tonawanda Coke were so bad, he walked off the job mid-shift after three weeks.

“You’re breathing in cancer all day long,” he said. “There’s signs posted everywhere about that.”

He’s one of many Tonawanda residents who question a judge’s decision to allow the plant to keep operating despite a track record of violating the Clean Air Act.

The company was convicted on Monday of violating its probation from a 2014 conviction for dangerous emissions from its waste heat stack.

By October, the company must implement a series of repairs to come into compliance environmental laws.

McCaslin, for one, is skeptical.

"There's no filtration system. It's just billowing right into the air, right into our environment. I really don't believe that place should stay open," he said.

Others who live in the area are also shaking their head over the judge's decision.

"Well I'm certainly frustrated by it,” said Kyle O’Grady. “It's definitely concerning to me, but it's not particularly surprising unfortunately."

Some who say they're not fully educated on the issue would want to see the testing data, but hope both sides can work it out.

"That judge was probably stuck between a rock and a hard place,” said North Tonawanda resident Jordan Hobba. “I'm not that concerned. I feel like you just have to live life to the fullest.  Don't put yourself in harm’s way, but also you can't hide because you think something's going to cause you harm."

Company leaders say work to improve conditions should be completed by October 13.