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| ASARCO TAYLOR SPRINGS | Taylor Springs, Illinois | |
| Montgomery County |
Site Location:
ASARCO Taylor Springs is a zinc oxide plant and a former primary metals
plant located on the south side of the village of Taylor Springs,
Illinois, in Montgomery County. The former and current site operational
area consists of 181 acres.
Site History:
American Zinc Lead and Smelting Company began operations as a zinc
smelter from 1911 through 1924. In 1917, American Zinc Lead and Smelting
Company began zinc oxide production. ASARCO purchased the site from
American Zinc Lead and Smelting Company (now Blue Tee Corporation) in
1971 and operated only the zinc oxide production. Current zinc oxide
production is continued by Midwest Zinc. As part of the zinc smelting
process, slag (a by-product of the smelting process) was produced and
placed in waste piles or spread on the ground and particulate emissions
containing cadmium, lead, zinc, and other inorganic substances were also
produced. As part of the zinc oxide production process, various grades
of slab zinc products, sulfuric acid, copper, aluminum, lead, coal
combustion wastes (clinker), and slag were produced.
Site Contamination/Contaminants:
A significant amount of the slag within the facility is stored in a
waste pile that occupies approximately 2.5 acres and a shallow waste
pile that occupies approximately 9.1 acres. Contaminants of concern
associated with the slag pile are metals, primarily arsenic, beryllium,
cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc.
Potential Impacts on Surrounding Community/Environment:
Soil contamination is present at significantly elevated concentrations
on residential properties adjacent to the ASARCO facility, potentially
threatening approximately 20 residents.
The slag pile is not contained, and surface water run-off is collected
by two separate drainage routes to the west of the facility. These
drainage routes both flow through a series of wetlands and into Middle
Fork of Shoal Creek. Middle Fork of Shoal Creek is considered to be a
fishery, and the wetlands support small wildlife commonly found in and
around healthy creeks in central Illinois.
Response Activities (to date):
Since December 1994, ASARCO has performed several investigations under
the supervision of Illinois EPA.
[The description of the site (release) is based on information available at the time the site was evaluated with the HRS. The description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination. See 56 FR 5600, February 11, 1991, or subsequent FR notices.]
For more information about the hazardous substances identified in this narrative summary, including general information regarding the effects of exposure to these substances on human health, please see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) ToxFAQs. ATSDR ToxFAQs can be found on the Internet at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html or by telephone at 1-888-42-ATSDR or 1-888-422-8737.