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American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO) Taylor Springs
Site Information
- Taylor Springs, IL (Montgomery County)
- EPA ID# ILN000508170
- NPL Site Narrative
- NPL Factsheet
- CERCLIS listing
- Alias(es): ASARCO, ASARCO Taylor Springs
Contact Information
Community Involvement Coordinator
Heriberto León
leon.heriberto@epa.gov
312-886-6163 or 800-621-8431, ext. 66163
Remedial Project Manager
Sheila Desai
desai.sheila@epa.gov
312-353-4150 or 800-621-8431, ext. 34150
Repositories
(where to view written records)
Taylor Springs Village Hall
626 E. Main St.
Taylor Springs, IL
Background
On September 26, 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency added the ASARCO Taylor Springs site, in Taylor Springs, IL, to the National Priorities List of Superfund hazardous waste sites. Sites on the NPL are eligible for additional study and resources under EPA's Superfund program.
The 181-acre Taylor Springs site was proposed for addition to the NPL in April 2006 followed by a public comment period. The property, which contained a zinc smelter and zinc oxide production facility, is owned by ASARCO. Previously, the zinc oxide facility was operated by American Zinc Lead and Smelting Co. (now Blue Tee Corp.) and more recently by Midwest Zinc. Pollution on the property--including contaminated soil and two production waste slag piles containing lead, arsenic, cadmium and other metals--dates to 1911. Some waste materials were also used as fill dirt in the neighborhood near the site.
At the request of Illinois EPA, U.S. EPA's Emergency Response branch conducted a site assessment of soil lead concentrations in residential and public areas in the Village of Taylor Springs. Access was obtained at approximately half of the residential properties in Taylor Springs, and sampling was conducted in June, 2006. Results of this sampling found that 20 residential or public areas exceeded U.S. EPA's time critical removal action level of 1,200 ppm lead, and an additional 67 properties exceeded the U.S. EPA Region IX Preliminary Remedial Goal for lead of 400 ppm.
On September 26, 2006 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency added the ASARCO Taylor Springs site, in Taylor Springs, Ill., to the National Priorities List of Superfund hazardous waste sites. Sites on the NPL are eligible for additional study and resources under EPA's Superfund program.
Site Updates || Fact Sheets || Technical Documents || Public Meetings
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Site Updates
October 2012
The EPA is reviewing surveying and sampling information that has been gathered since last year at and around the ASARCO site. Additional data may be collected and reviewed into 2013 if needed to complete all the studies required to complete the "remedial investigation" phase of the Superfund process. This phase helps define the scope of investigation that is necessary to identify the area of contamination. The collected data will then be used:
(a) to perform the human health and ecologic risk assessments and
(b) to evaluate and screen remedial alternatives to address any identified risks as required under the agreement signed between the EPA and potentially responsible parties.
Visit the Superfund Process website to learn how your community can participate in the Remedial Investigation stage of the process.
November 2011
Surveying and sampling began this month at and around the ASARCO site. The EPA is supervising contractors performing the related investigations which will continue into the spring of 2012. Local residents can expect to see technicians in required protective clothing taking:
- Soil samples near the ASARCO facility and in some residential areas near the site.
- Sediment and surface water samples from the Middle Fork of Shoal Creek and lakes on the site, as well as drainage areas and tributaries.
- Ground water samples from 14 existing monitoring wells and six additional wells to be installed on the site.
- Air quality samples.
- Samples of fish and of plants and animals that may have been affected by contaminants at the site.
With these studies the ASARCO Superfund site enters the "remedial investigation" phase of the Superfund process. This phase helps define the scope of investigation that is necessary to identify the area of contamination. The collected data will then be used to perform the human health and ecologic risk assessments and to evaluate and screen remedial alternatives to address any identified risks as required under the agreement signed between the EPA and potentially responsible parties.
The remedial investigation may be completed by the summer of 2012. Visit the Superfund Process website to learn how your community can participate in the Remedial Investigation stage of the process.
Fact Sheets
- Sampling Project is Next Step in Cleanup Process (PDF) (5pp, 308K) October 2011
- EPA to begin testing for lead contamination in yards (PDF) (5pp, 308K) March 2006
Technical Documents
- Historic and Proposed Sampling Locations map (PDF) (1pg - 22"x34", 8.19MB)
- Community Involvement Plan (PDF) (32pp, 516K) - May 2008
- Pollution Report 3 March 4, 2008
- Pollution Report 2 February 1, 2008
- Pollution Report 1 December 28, 2007
Public Meetings
- October 20, 2011 - availability session - Representatives from EPA, Illinois EPA and companies responsible for the cleanup were available to provide information about the site and the planned studies.
- April 16, 2008 open house - Representatives from EPA, Illinois EPA, Illinois Department of Public Health and companies responsible for the cleanup were available to summarize the cleanup work, discuss how residents can bring up problems with the restoration work.and preview the next phase.
- November 13, 2007 - Representatives from EPA, Illinois EPA, Illinois Department of Public Health and companies responsible for the cleanup were available to discuss sampling and cleanup of lead contamination in yards.
- April 4, 2006 - information meetings to explain the residential testing process.