1.1.1 Incident Category

CERCLA Incident Category: Time-Critical Removal Action

1.1.2 Site Description

1.1.2.1 Location

The Site is located in and around the city of Iola, Allen County, Kansas. The main area of the former United Zinc property is located on the east side of Iola within a mixture of residential and commercial properties. The facility was one of several zinc and lead smelting operations in the area between 1902 and 1925. Residential and non-residential properties were contaminated with elevated levels of lead.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Lead, a hazardous substance as defined by Section 101(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), as amended, has been released into the soil at the Site. The primary contaminants of concern at this Site are lead and lead compounds.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

2.1.1 Narrative

The removal action consists of excavation and proper disposal of soil and/or waste containing lead concentrations greater than 400 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) from properties meeting the following criteria: residential properties where a composite sample exceeds a concentration of 800 mg/kg; high child impact areas such as schools and daycare facilities where a composite sample exceeds a concentration of 400 mg/kg; and residential properties where a child with a blood lead level of 10 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dl) or greater resides and soil contains lead concentrations over 400 mg/kg. Currently, approximately 350 properties have been identified that meet these criteria. Excavated soil is transported to the Allen County Landfill, a RCRA Subtitle D landfill, and used as daily cover.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

Excavation and backfilling operations continued during this reporting period; however, operations were shut down at noon on Tuesday, 3/8/2016, due to thunderstorms and heavy rains. Excavation was completed at the following properties during this reporting period:

A full list of properties addressed during this action is presented in the Notices section of this website. Some lots remain unvegetated and will remain so until spring.

The EPA continued efforts to assess properties which were not previously sampled. The EPA completed an initial reconnaissance of these 890 unsampled properties and determined that approximately 350 properties are residential and able to be sampled. To date, access has been obtained for 182 of these properties (of which 115 have been sampled). Access has been declined for 46 properties.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

The PRP search is ongoing. No PRP has been identified to date.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

Excavation and backfilling operations will continue during the next operational period. The unseasonably warm weather will allow for the resumption of hydroseeding and sod application in the next several weeks. Approximately a dozen properties are awaiting application of a vegetative cover.  

A two-member team of START contractors will continue  to gain access from property owners to sample the residential properties that have not yet been assessed.  See Section 2.1.2 for additional information regarding these properties.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

The Site was listed on the National Priorities List (NPL) on May 21, 2013. A remedial action is being planned.

2.2.2 Issues

The EPA Community Involvement Coordinator for the Site is Tamara Freeman. An Administrative Record containing site-related documents is available for review at the following locations: 

Iola Public Library
218 E Madison Avenue
Iola, Kansas 66749

EPA Region 7 Records Office
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, Kansas 66219

3.1 Unified Command

Because of the nature of the site, a unified command structure has not been formalized.  City, county, and state representatives are kept abreast of activities and issues through routine dialogue.

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

City of Iola

Allen County

Kansas Department of Health and Environment

EPA Personnel working on the project (not necessarily on site):

     OSC Schademann

     OSC Luetke

     RPM Bahnke (as needed)

     CIC Freeman (as needed)

     EPA CNSL Roberts (as needed)

EPA Contractors

      9 ERRS personnel

      3 START personnel

Other Agencies

     1 ATSDR representative

ATSDR     Agency for Toxic Substance Disease Registry
CIC           Community Involvement Coordinator
CNSL        US EPA Counsel
EPA          Environmental Protection Agency
MCL          Maximum Contaminant Level
nd              non detect
NPL           National Priorities List
OSC          On-Scene Coordinator
PRP           Potentially Responsible Party
RAL           Removal Action Level
RPM          Remedial Project Manager
SME          Subject Matter Expert

START      Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team

µg/L           Micrograms per liter
µg/kg         Micrograms per kilogram
µg/m³         Micrograms per cubic meter

6.1 Internet location of additional information/report

Lead is classified by the EPA as a probable human carcinogen and is a cumulative toxicant. The early effects of lead poisoning are nonspecific and difficult to distinguish from the symptoms of minor seasonal illnesses. Lead poisoning causes decreased physical fitness, fatigue, sleep disturbance, headache, aching bones and muscles, digestive symptoms (particularly constipation), abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite. With increased exposure, symptoms include anemia, pallor, a "lead line" on the gums, and decreased handgrip strength.

Children are more vulnerable to lead poisoning than adults. For children, lead can damage the central nervous system, kidneys and reproductive system. At higher levels, it can cause coma, convulsions and death. Even low levels of lead are harmful and are associated with decreased intelligence, impaired neurobehavioral development, decreased stature and growth, impaired hearing acuity, and possibly high blood pressure.

For more information on lead please visit: 

ATSDR ToxFAQs