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EPA Invites Public To Discuss Ongoing Investigation And Cleanup At Hegler Zinc Smelter Site

Release Date: 10/15/2010
Contact Information: Jayna Legg, 312-353-0562, legg.jayna@epa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 10-OPA125

CHICAGO (Oct. 15, 2010) --- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 will hold open house-style availability sessions Thursday, Oct. 28, to discuss with residents the ongoing investigation and cleanup plan for the former Hegeler Zinc smelter Superfund site in Hegeler, Ill.

There will be two sessions: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Westville High School, 918 N. State St., Hegeler. EPA as well as state and local representatives will be available to talk one-on-one with residents. Additionally, an EPA civil investigator will be present to talk to residents who have leads that may help EPA’s search for all those legally responsible for contamination at the site.

This month, EPA will begin soil sampling on Hegeler and Tilton residential properties near the former Hegeler Zinc smelter site. EPA will test for contaminants such as lead and arsenic. Sampling will be done at no cost to property owners. EPA will incorporate the results into its ongoing investigation of the site.

This 100-acre site was a zinc smelting facility from 1906 until around 1954. The smelter produced large slag piles containing hazardous metals such as lead, arsenic and zinc. The site was added to the National Priorities List in 2005. The NPL is a roster of the nation’s most hazardous waste sites, which are eligible for cleanup under EPA’s Superfund program.

More information can be found online at https://www.epa.gov/region5/sites/hegelerzinc/index.htm.

For further information about the Hegeler Zinc site or for special accommodations at the meeting, contact Ginny Narsete, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator at narsete.virginia@epa.gov or call 800-621-8431 Ext. 64359 between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., weekdays.
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