EPA Oversees Last Phase of Soil Cleanup in the Residential Area of the USS Lead Superfund Site in East Chicago, Indiana
CHICAGO (December 11, 2023) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the Agency has begun oversight of the last phase of soil cleanup in the residential area, or operable unit 1, of the USS Lead Superfund site in East Chicago, Indiana. EPA will oversee cleanup activities conducted by Industrial Development Advantage, or IDA, of East Chicago. EPA anticipates soil cleanup will be complete by summer 2024 at the former West Calumet Housing Complex in Zone 1.
Residents can expect to see increased truck traffic as IDA transports contaminated soil off-site for disposal. Trucks will enter and leave the site at 151st Street. EPA requires IDA to take measures to minimize dust and to perform 24-hour air monitoring for particulates, lead, and arsenic until the remediation work is completed. Health-based action levels have been established for both the neighboring community and onsite workers. If one of the air monitors detects an exceedance of the action levels, IDA will implement additional protective measures to reduce airborne dust.
This is the last soil cleanup planned for the three zones that make up operable unit 1 at the site. Groundwater investigation and monitoring are ongoing. IDA has informed the EPA that it intends to redevelop Zone 1 property into a warehouse and logistics center.
To learn more about cleanup status updates, visit the USS Lead website.
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