Learn the Issues
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Why is EPA not collecting samples from Lake Erie?
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (PADEP) Hazardous Sites Cleanup (HSCA) Program includes both land and waterlots at the former Erie Coke facility. PADEP is currently investigating the level and extent of contamination on the land portion of the plant property and will make determinations on further investigation in the…
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How is EPA collecting soil samples in the Study Area?
EPA will collect soil samples by using an incremental sampling method (taking several small soil samples across a property, then combining them for the best average result). These samples will then be sent to a laboratory for analysis. Incremental sampling provides a more comprehensive result of the overall condition of…
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What does it mean when EPA finds contamination that “exceeds screening levels”?
Screening levels are not the same as cleanup or action levels. A screening level exceedance indicates the need for additional evaluation, potentially including a site-specific risk assessment.
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Stories of Progress in Achieving Healthy Waters in Virginia
Stories of progress from EPA's Mid-Atlantic region about EPA programs helping to achieve healthy waters in the state of Virginia.
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What kinds of contamination is EPA looking for when sampling in the Study Area?
EPA will look for contaminants like heavy metals including chromium, arsenic, and lead, and Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as naphthalene or benzo(a)pyrene, in soil samples.
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How do you know you are not missing some areas that might be contaminated?
EPA will begin the Site Investigation by focusing on residential homes located closest to the former coke facility. This area of residential homes is known as the Study Area for the East Area Study Area. After EPA collects and analyzes the first round of soil samples from the Study…
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Radon Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions Asthma FAQs Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) FAQs Indoor AirPlus FAQs IAQ in Schools FAQs Mold FAQs Search Frequent Questions for answers to the most common questions or send a question to our customer care team. Radon What is radon? Where does radon come from? How does radon…
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What questions are EPA trying to answer during the first round of sampling?
In the first round of sampling, EPA is looking to determine if there were any releases of contaminants from the former facility that could cause a public health risk to nearby residents.
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How does EPA develop a sampling plan for a site?
Generally, EPA begins to develop a sampling plan by gathering information about the site, including environmental history. Regarding the former Erie Coke Facility, EPA builds a sampling plan based on what we know about the former facility’s operations, information from PADEP’s prior investigations, and information from the community. The EPA…
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What is the difference between the investigation being conducted by PADEP at the Erie Coke facility and EPA’s Study Area?
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) continues to investigate the level and extent of potential contamination in surface water, soil, sediment, and subsurface groundwater at the Erie Coke facility. The current EPA East Avenue Study Area is focused on the soil conditions of the community and residential areas surrounding…
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Cleanup Levels for Dioxin at Superfund Sites
Access links to Regional Screening Levels (RSLs) and soil cleanup levels for dioxin.
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Cleaning up Superfund Sites
Links for each phase of the complex process of cleaning up Superfund sites.
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Asbestos at Superfund Sites
Learn about asebestos as it relates to the cleanup of Superfund sites.
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Abandoned Mine Lands: Revitalization and Reuse
Reuse opportunities at AMLs may provide the critical impetus to expedite environmental cleanup. EPA’s AML Team is dedicated to providing tools and resources to support the reuse of AMLs, including the prioritization of renewable energy projects.
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EPA Spreadsheet for Modeling Subsurface Vapor Intrusion
Johnson and Ettinger model
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What is Vapor Intrusion?
Vapor intrusion basic information
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Vapor Intrusion Screening Level Calculator User's Guide
This document describes the calculation of recommended, but not mandatory, screening levels for use in evaluating the vapor intrusion pathway at CERCLA and RCRA sites.
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Abandoned Mine Lands: Basic Information
The AML Team aims to set priorities for the evaluation, cleanup, and redevelopment of abandoned mine sites to reduce federal government financial liabilities in addressing these sites.
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Indoor Air Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Approaches
The National Risk Management Research Laboratory has developed a technology transfer document regarding management and treatment of vapor intrusion into building structures. This document describes the range of mitigation technologies available.
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Physical PPA
A physical PPA for renewable electricity is a contract for the purchase of power and associated RECs from a specific renewable energy generator to a purchaser of renewable electricity.