Using data from this study, scientists from the texascommission of environmental quality tceq and epa6, proposed a residential soil cleanuplevel of 46 milligrams per kilogram mgkg. The epa has asked the texas department of healthtdh and the agency for toxic substances and. However, the concentrations of as, cd, cu, pb, and zn were high at sites around asarco and decreased with distance from the smelter. Thunder and rain on tent sounds black screen, dark screen, relaxing, relax, sleep, white noise duration. United states agency for international development, peru mission. The study focused on an area bounded by interstate 10 on the north, the rio grande river on the south, sun metro terminal on the west, and the phelps dodge copper refinery on the east. The washington state department of ecology has coordinated with local health departments to sample soils at most parks and childcare facilities in the tacoma smelter plume, as well as many existing residential properties. The air was polluted for three miles in any direction from the asarco smelter plant, which was near the u. Learn about healthy actions simple ways to protect yourself from arsenic and.
Approximately 100 acres operated as a lead and copper smelter from the late 1880s to 1999. The company is a subsidiary of grupo mexico since 1999 its three largest openpit mines are the mission, silver bell and ray mines in arizona. The environmental protection agency epa determined that lead pb is the. Lead, arsenic contamination in sunland park frontera.
A brief history of the science of occupational arsenic exposure. Kern, and once had an unusual gate marking the entrance. A new book offers a harrowingly intimate view into the lives of men that worked at asarco. Portable document format pdf related pages asarco main page site background for the american refining and smelting company asarco. To learn about soil sampling for your residence, please visit the. Once the nonlinear dynamic analysis was performed, it took 300 pounds of dynamite and less than a minute to demolish the two giant. A visual history of industry on the border will be held on the third floor of the library and will display a selection from the immense collection of asarco history, which includes 12,000 drawings and plans, 77 ledgers and bound copies of indexes, four framed panoramic photos, 3,000 blackandwhite. Asi was contracted to perform the demolition engineering and design for the explosive demolition of the asarco smelter stacks.
Asarco is an integrated copper mining, smelting and refining company with approximately 2,600 employees. The environmental protection agency epa determined that lead pb is. It was estimated 96 tons of pb were emitted on an annual basis from the standing ore and fluid beds. This special feature is the latest installment in our series on government and the lowincome border communities in new mexico called colonias. Tceq records management center 12100 park 35 circle building e austin tx 78753 phone. Asarco filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on august 9, 2005. The asarco tacoma smelter and regional soil contamination in. The company operates three mines, associated mills and smelter in arizona and a refinery complex in texas, which includes plants that produce copper cathode, rod and cake. After years of work and cleanup, the project navigator says the contract with utep is. A small quantity soil disposal program is in place for owners of property within the study area that generate soil for disposal before the final cleanup of their property can be scheduled. To date, more than 1,000 properties surrounding the plant have been remediated, or cleaned up.
To find out how you can participate and arrange for pickup and disposal, call karen pickett at the asarco information center at 206 7565436. Once the nonlinear dynamic analysis was performed, it took 300 pounds of dynamite and less than a minute to demolish the two giant smokestacks, one standing 800 feet high, and the other. Before flint, before east chicago, there was smeltertown. The towering asarco smokestack formerly slated for demolition in the spring has a new lease on life. Using visual images to achieve environmental justice. Pdf evaluating the effectiveness of public participation. The former asarco demolition fallout, a post study on. Pdf lead and arsenic contamination by a smelter plant. Llc is a mining, smelting, and refining company based in tucson, arizona that mines and processes primarily copper. Aug 26, 2008 the asarco plant site had nearly 100 years of history, beginning as the ryan smelter, a leadrefining company built by investor dennis ryan in 1888. Included in original consolidation were mines and mining claims in colorado and mexico. Evaluating the effectiveness of public participation. Asarco llc, a whollyowned subsidiary of grupo mexico, is an integrated copper mining, smelting and refining company with approximately 2700 employees. Arcadis successfully remediated and restored the site, allowing the city to sell the property for commercial, industrial and residential.
The surface geology consists of a mix of colluvial sediments. The results of the extensive soil sampling and analysis programs sponsored by ecology. Distribution of blood lead levels in children living in different sectors of the. From 1890 through 1985, ruston, a small town near tacoma, washington, was home to one of the countrys most polluting smelters, which produced lead, copper, precious metals, arsenic.
The study assessed structures within a halfmile radius of the chimneys, and no damage is expected to structures. Lead, arsenic contamination in sunland park by administrator published january 22, 20 editors note. Characterization and implication of potential fugitive. Asarco case study environmental liability transfer. A settlement was reached and asarco was fined for pollution violations and ordered to pay for installation of. Asarco llc american smelting and refining company is a mining, smelting, and refining company based in tucson, arizona, which mines and processes primarily copper. Tacoma smelter washington state department of ecology. Media of concern details about soil, groundwater, and surface. The former asarco demolition fallout, a post study on lead.
Asarco smelter chimney demolition plan soilworks, llc. Soil sampling the washington state department of ecology has coordinated with local health departments to sample soils at most parks and childcare facilities in the tacoma smelter plume, as well as many existing residential properties. The smelter, which processed metal ore from regional mines, was quickly acquired by asarco american smelting and refining company and. An inquiry into the asarco smelter at tacoma and resultant.
Room for growth this view from sun bowl drive of the. This is a unique case because the asarco smelter site was located in a densely populated minority community at the junction of three states and. Site background for the american refining and smelting company asarco. Evaluating the effectiveness of public participation efforts by environmental agencies. Contract being finalized for asarco land sale to utep kfox. Information on soil, groundwater and surface water at the asarco site. Soil, air, and dust data, leads to be emitted by the smelter, which have been. Asarco the handbook of texas online texas state historical. Development of an integrated intervention plan to reduce. Cost analysis for enhanced groundwater remediation. Arcadis successfully remediated and restored the site, allowing the texas custodial trust to position for the sale of the property for commercial, industrial and residential reuse. In 1975 it officially changed its name to asarco incorporated. This research project is a case study of the asarco tacoma smelter and the historical antecendents of widespread soil contamination in the puget sound region.
This report, prepared for the environmental organization the sierra club by an independent scientist, documents data on soil. Toxic metals in the air and soil of the paso del norte region. Asarco smelter chimney demolition plan texas custodial trust. The extent of soil contamination has not been determined, and a soil remediation. Cap shall mean the rcra corrective action plan final. Asarco organized as american smelting and refining company. Asarco elt played a critical role in the chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization of asarco, and the subsequent redevelopment of environmentallycontaminated sites in perth amboy, nj and houston, tx.
Arcadis successfully remediated and restored the site, allowing the texas custodial trust to position for the sale of the property for. The asarco plant site had nearly 100 years of history, beginning as the ryan smelter, a leadrefining company built by investor dennis ryan in 1888. The area has an impervious clay pan in the subsoil. Its mines produce 350,000,000 to 400,000,000 pounds 160,000,000 to 180,000,000 kg. The surface geology consists of a mix of colluvial sediments from the surrounding mountains and fluvial sediments from the rio grande. Njdep and tceq were then able to grant settlement agreements. Texas blackland is associated with post oak savannah, where grasses on sandy soil in uplands share the prairie with hardwoods on clay soils in bottomlands.
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