Sampling results showed elevated lead and arsenic concentrations in some yards. In order to address immediate health threats, in the fall of 1998 EPA removed the soil from 18 residential properties contaminated with very high levels of arsenic. The Agency believes the lead and arsenic contamination remaining in some yards may pose a risk to children and other sensitive individuals. The potential problem is serious enough to warrant federal Superfund involvement. Including this site on the NPL ensures EPA immediate access to cleanup funding through the Superfund program if industries should fail to clean up the site adequately.
Listing also guarantees the public an opportunity to participate in cleanup decisions.
The site was added to the NPL on July 22, 1999. In August 1999, EPA began a large residential-soils Remedial Investigation. Three thousand properties have been identified for sampling to determine arsenic and lead levels in soil. Another 23 with very high arsenic levels have been identified for cleanup this year. EPA expects to complete the Remedial Investigation and Baseline Risk Assessment during summer 2000.