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NPL Site Narrative for Midvale Slag
MIDVALE SLAG
Midvale, Utah
Federal Register Notice: February 11, 1991Conditions at proposal (June 10, 1986): The Midvale Slag Site covers 300 acres in Midvale, Salt Lake County, Utah. Midvale (population 10,000) is part of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area (population 936,000). Between 1902 and 1971, United States Smelting, Refining and Mining Co. smelted ores on the site to produce copper, gold, lead, and silver. The site consists of piles of slag estimated at 2 million tons that remain from the smelting operations. The smelter no longer exists. In 1971, Valley Materials, Inc., acquired the site and processes the slag into materials for railroad beds and asphalt highways.
Testing by the Utah Department of Health indicated that the slag contains high concentrations of arsenic and heavy metals. The slag is found on the surface and down to a depth of 20 feet. Hence there is a potential for ground water contamination. Several municipal wells serving an estimated 440,000 people are within 3 miles of the site.
The Jordan River, which forms the western boundary of the site, is not contaminated to date, according to tests conducted by EPA in May 1985. However, slag piles are as close as 50 feet to the river, causing concern that the river can become contaminated.
Status (February 11, 1991): EPA emergency staff is fencing the site to prevent people and animals from coming into direct contact with hazardous materials.
In mid-1991, EPA plans to start a remedial investigation/feasibility study to determine the type and extent of contamination at the site and identify alternatives for remedial action.
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.