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.
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.
This website has been prepared to share information on the time critical removal activies in residential and public areas in the Village of Taylor Springs. Site information is also on file at the Taylor Springs Village Hall, 626 E. Main St. Residents with questions about the site may contact EPA Community Involvement Coordinator Janet Pope, at (800) 621-8431, Ext. 30628, or pope.janet@epa.gov
