Because industries at the site have been in operation since the early 1900s, the sources of possible contamination are not fully understood. For example, there may be areas of old spills or disposal with which we are unfamiliar. We also do not fully understand how and where these chemicals have moved through the air, surface water, groundwater, and soil. A phased approach is necessary so that sample results from Phase 1 can govern the location of Phase 2 samples, etc. This phased approach will be continued until the full extent of contamination is understood. The larger map referenced in the fact sheet will be included as a separate pdf attachment.
Illinois EPA was alerted by the City of Markham to a tire fire that began on April 1, 2010 at an illegal dump site in/near Markham in Cook County. The 12-acre-plus dumping areas within the site are bounded by 159th Street on the north, Dixie Highway on the east, the Calumet-Union Drainage Canal on the south, and Western Avenue on the west (see map). It appears that various dumping activities have been going on there for many years. Recent inspections by Illinois EPA revealed discarded mobile homes, automobile parts, boats, tires, drums and totes of unknown liquids and solids, other containers with residue of construction materials, unidentified gas cylinders, unknown liquid and solid spills on the ground, swimming pool chemicals and various construction and demolition debris. The printable map referenced in the fact sheet will be included as a separate pdf attachment.
For many years, this 124-acre site was the location of fertilizer manufacturing, which used naturally occurring phosphates found in gypsum. The process used acid to free the phosphates for use in fertilizer production, and it resulted in a 25 to 40 acre pile/stack of acidic gypsum waste. The gypsum waste was piled into a strip mine pond and now rises more than 60 feet above the pond surface. Illinois EPA placed a Seal Order (to prevent public access) on the site in 1988 and, in 1989, spent $500,000 to perform an Immediate Removal of hazardous waste at the site. In 2000, the Agency worked with Borden Chemical, Inc., a former site owner, to do emergency stabilization work to safeguard surrounding residents and the environment. After many years of dealing with obstacles and delays, visible progress is taking place on the site. The printable map referenced in this fact sheet was included as a pdf attachment to "Smith Douglas Site: Fact Sheet #4."
Operation of the Rhodes Landfill began in the 1940s at the site of a former gravel quarry along Route 48 at Bowshier Lane. This 16-acre landfill held primarily construction/demolition debris, although foundry wastes, general refuse and other materials were also accepted. The southern edge of the site borders the Sangamon River. The landfill was closed by a court order in 1992. A closure plan submitted by the owner, Mr. Charles Rhodes, was approved by the Illinois EPA in 1994 but never implemented. The State of Illinois plans to construct a cap on the site. Illinois EPA has sent legal notice to the owner explaining our intentions, and the Agency retains the right to pursue cost recovery after the work is complete.
The most recent samples from 2005 demonstrate compliance with health-based drinking water standards, although the Hopkins Park water system has not completed the required analyses for two contaminants. Based on the track record of these systems, it is unlikely that these updated analyses, once completed, will show any problems.
The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) began a sampling program in 2005 to test private wells in the county for potential chemical threats. In consultation with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA or Agency) and U.S. Geological Survey, the health department developed a scientific strategy for randomly testing a representative number of wells across the county for the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These are common chemicals found in industrial and commercial solvents and products such as gasoline and other fuels. The goal of the testing is to provide homeowners with information about the quality of the water they are using from private wells and to help them make informed decisions for their families. The printable map referenced in the fact sheet will be included in a separate pdf attachment.
Currently the property is vacant with evidence of ongoing unrestricted dumping. A scrap flatbed semitrailer, gas cylinders and other metals and glass are scattered throughout the site. The site is overgrown and a small pond is located in the central part of the property; however, it is not known whether this water body is present throughout the year or intermittently due to seasonal rainfall and snowmelt.
In January 2010, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) placed a monitor on the roof of Manuel Perez Jr. Elementary School to sample ambient air concentrations of lead in the area. The monitor was located there because of the Illinois EPA's knowledge of lead emissions from local sources, concern about the proximity of emissions sources to residents and schools, and expressed community concern.
This is a New Jersey Zinc/Mobil Chemical Superfund project update on work accomplished since the last update issued in late July. The update information is in the unboxed area immediately following the heading. In response to comments from citizen surveys and interviews, more detailed information-- including information about the Interim Consent Order (ICO) requirements for each unit--is located in the boxed area.