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Indianapolis cleanup begins soon; EPA seeks access for yard soil samples, meeting May 5, 6:30 p.m.

Release Date: 4/29/2005
Contact Information:

CONTACT:
Mick Hans, (312) 353-5050
Joe Munoz, (312) 886-7935

For Immediate Release
No. 05-OPA054

CHICAGO (Apr. 29, 2005) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 said today that environmental contractors will begin collecting access agreements in the next few weeks from neighborhood residents to sample for lead-contaminated soil near a former factory at 1600 E. 21st St. in Indianapolis. A series of metals manufacturers including American Lead operated on the property dating to the 1870's.

An informal information meeting to discuss the project will be held Thursday, May 5, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Oasis of Hope Baptist Church, 1701 E. 25th St. Representatives from Indiana Department of Environmental Management and Marion County Health Department will also attend. A fact sheet that has been sent to area residents is online at www.epa.gov/region5/sites/ index.htm#amerlead.

About 250 properties will be sampled. If soil with contamination above the cleanup level is found, EPA will oversee its removal and have it replaced with clean soil and sod or grass. Vegetation that has to be removed will also be replaced.

The area near the former American Lead property is roughly bounded by 23rd Street to the north, Tallman Avenue to the southeast, 19th Street to the South and Arsenal Avenue or Sheldon Street to the West. Area residents are asked to not plant new vegetation or flowers until the sampling occurs.

Residents with questions may contact EPA Community Involvement Coordinator Joe Munoz, (800) 621-8431, ext. 67935, during business hours. E-mail may be sent to munoz.joe@epa.gov