![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
VANDERBURGH COUNTY
EVANSVILLE
Congressional District # 08
JACOBSVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD SOIL CONTAMINATION
EPA ID# INN000508142Last Updated: December, 2009
Site Description
The Jacobsville Neighborhood Soil Contamination Site is a Superfund Site located in Evansville, Indiana. The site is divided into two phases, or operable units, and encompasses a larger area than just the Jacobsville Neighborhood of Evansville. The first operable unit (OU1) is roughly bounded by the Lloyd Expressway (State Highway 62) to the south, Mary Street to the west, Iowa Street to the north, and Elliot Street to the east. OU1 encompasses 141 acres, including 508 residential properties. The second operable unit (OU2) extends outward from OU1 consistent with the wind patterns for the City of Evansville, and covers approximately 4.5 square miles. Because the lead and arsenic levels found in the soil in OU1 are higher than the lead and arsenic levels found in the soil in OU2, OU1 will be the first area that will be cleaned up under the Superfund Program. The OU1 area formerly contained several manufacturing companies which utilized lead. The operations of these companies date back as far as the 1880s.
The site was added to the National Priorities List (NPL) on July 22, 2004.
Site Responsibility
This site is being addressed through federal and state actions.
Threats and Contaminants
Lead levels above the site cleanup level of 400 parts per million (ppm) were found in residential soils in both OU1 and OU2 for the Jacobsville Neighborhood Soil Contamination Site. Lead is harmful to people because it can cause high blood pressure, digestive problems, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems, and muscle and joint pain. Exposure to lead is particularly dangerous for pregnant women as lead can cause premature birth, low birth weight, or miscarriage. Children are also at risk because they are more likely to swallow dirt that contains lead, and they are more sensitive to the effects of lead. Lead exposure in children has been shown to decrease IQ scores, slow growth and cause hearing problems.
Arsenic levels above the site cleanup level of 30 ppm have been found at a handful of properties contained in the Jacobsville Neighborhood Soil Contamination Site. Exposure to low levels of arsenic can cause nausea and vomitting, damage to blood vessels, and a sensation of "pins and needles" in hands and feet. Ingesting or breathing low levels of arsenic for a long time can cause a darkening of the skin and the appearance of small corns or warts on the palms, soles, and torso. Skin contact with arsenic may cause redness and swelling. Several studies have shown that exposure to high levels of arsenic can increase the risk of several types of cancer.
Cleanup Progress
U.S. EPA has done six rounds of sampling to determine how far the lead contamination extends. A Remedial Investigation report for the entire site was completed in September 2006, and a Feasibility Study report for OU1 was completed in January 2007. A bioavailability study, or a study of how much of the lead at the site is absorbed by humans, was completed in January 2008. The reports explained the contamination and the risk it poses, as well as possible ways to clean up the site. To address a number of highly-contaminated properties prior to selection of the final cleanup plan, a Superfund emergency removal action took place from September 2007 through April 2008 that cleaned up 83 residential properties that had lead levels in the soil above 1200 ppm.
Early in 2007, U.S. EPA presented its Proposed Plan to the public for the cleanup approach for OU1. The comment period, where the local community, local governments, and stakeholders had the opportunity to comment on U.S. EPA's preferred plan, ended on February 28, 2007. After completing the bioavailability study, discussed above, U.S. EPA signed the Record of Decision (ROD) for OU1 on February 14, 2008. The remedy selected for OU1 in the ROD consists of excavating the contaminated soils at residential properties and restoring the properties to original conditions. U.S. EPA is planning to start the cleanup of OU1 in 2010.
A Feasibility Study report for OU2 was completed in June 2008. The difference between OU1 and OU2 was simply the sizes of the areas. OU1 is about 5 square blocks in area, and OU2 is 4.5 square miles in area. Due to the scope and cost of the remediation for the larger OU2 area, the cleanup options underwent an extensive review by U.S. EPA. U.S EPA presented its Proposed Plan for cleaning up OU2 in June 2009, and the public comment period ran from June 11, 2009, through July 10, 2009. U.S. EPA published its final decision on the OU2 remedy in a Record of Decision (ROD) signed on September 22, 2009. The cleanup selected for OU2 is essentially the same as the one selected for OU1 -- excavation of contaminated soil in residential yards, backfilling with clean fill, and restoration of the property. Cleanup of OU2 is expected to start in 2012.
Community Involvement
A Community Involvement Plan has been created and is available to the public at the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library, Central Branch. U.S. EPA has held many public meetings and information sessions since the site was listed on the NPL.Congressional Interest
There has been interest on this site by the U.S. Congressman and both U.S Senators that represent Indiana.
Aliases
JACOBSVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD SOIL CONT.NEWTON KELSAY (FORMER)
BLOUNT PLOW WORKS (FORMER)
SHARPE SHOT WORKS (FORMER)
ADVANCE STOVE WORKS (FORMER)
JACKSONVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD SOIL CONTAMINATION