Former Abingdon Pottery (South Plant)

Former Abingdon Pottery (South Plant)

Fact Sheet #1
March 2007

Knox County , Illinois

Introduction

In February 2007, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) conducted an environmental investigation at the former Abingdon Pottery Company located at the corner of Sanitary Road and East Street. This investigation was part on an on-going Brownfield redevelopment effort. During the Illinois EPA investigation, it was discovered that surface soils in this area contained high concentrations of lead. To avoid contact with trespassers, the Illinois EPA will be posting signs around the site. Health concerns for human exposure warrants a removal of soils at this location. At this time, we do not know if there are high concentrations of lead in residential yards. Lead has not been detected in the area groundwater. The Illinois EPA is working in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) to perform a removal assessment of this area. In addition, we are working with the local and state health departments to address health risk concerns regarding lead contamination.

Representatives from the Illinois EPA, U.S. EPA, Knox County Health Department, Illinois Department of Public Health, and the City of Abingdon will be available to address your concerns and answer your questions about the Illinois EPA investigation and future sampling and plans for this site on…

April 11, 2007 (Wednesday)
4:30-6:00 pm and 6:30-8:00 pm
Abingdon Senior High School
600 West Martin
(309) 462-2338

No formal presentations will be given at these availability sessions; rather you will have the opportunity to meet with these officials on a one-on-one basis. It is not necessary for you to attend both sessions.

Site History

The Abingdon Sanitary Manufacturing Company was founded in 1908 and produced vitreous china plumbing fixtures. The company introduced the first colored plumbing fixtures in 1928 and made all fixtures used at the 1933 Chicago Worlds Fair. To stay in business during the Depression, the company started producing artware in 1934 made out of the same material. Between 1934 and 1950, millions of pieces were produced; over 80 percent of the pieces were sprayed, and 95 percent were made in glossy glaze. An increase demand for plumbing fixtures caused the company to stop producing the artware in 1950.

The lead found at the Abingdon Pottery site most likely came from lead glazing which gave the fixtures and pottery pieces their shine.

Possible Health Effects from the Exposure of Lead Contaminated Soil

Individuals can be exposed to lead from this site by breathing contaminated dust, by swallowing or touching contaminated soil, and by eating food not thoroughly washed that has been growing in contaminated soil. Exposure to lead from the soil is considered more dangerous to young children because of their frequent hand-to-mouth activity and their increased susceptibility to lead poisoning. Dust contaminated soil can be tracked into the house on shoes and end up on indoor surfaces and toys.

Lead can affect almost every organ and system in the human body. The most sensitive area of the body is the central nervous system, particularly in children. Exposure to lead is more dangerous in young and unborn children. Harmful effects of lead on unborn children can include premature births, smaller babies, and decreased mental ability in infants, learning difficulties, and reduced growth in young children. These effects are more common after exposure to high levels of lead.

Reducing Your Exposure to Lead Contaminated Soil

Please do not allow your children to play in the open field located at the corner of Sanitary Road and East Street. In addition, make sure to wash your children’s hands and faces often. Remove your shoes before entering your home to prevent tracking soils inside and sweep carpeting or rugs.

Knox County Health Department Assistance

The Knox County Health Department has offered to provide free blood lead level tests for residents (including their children) who are concerned that they may have been exposed to lead contamination from this site. If you wish to have a blood test, please contact Carrie Andrews, Director of Health Education and Promotion, with the Knox County Health Department at 309/344-2224.

What's Next?

• On March 27th and 28th, the Illinois EPA and the Knox County Health Department will be going door-to-door in the neighborhoods that are adjacent to the north and south Abingdon Pottery plants; we will be passing out this fact sheet, informing residents of the upcoming availability session, and asking if anyone living near these two plants wants their yards screened for lead contamination.
• The Illinois EPA has contacted the U.S. EPA to request a removal assessment of soils located at the former Abingdon Pottery Company. This U.S. EPA removal assessment will be conducted sometime during the Spring of 2007. At this time, we do not have a date when actual removal of contaminated soils will begin.
• Residential soil screening of yards adjacent to the north and south plants will be conducted on various dates, including March 27th and 28th and April 11th and 12th, to determine if private yards have lead contamination. If it becomes necessary to conduct additional residential sampling, collection of these samples will be scheduled for May 2007.
• An additional Illinois EPA environmental investigation will be conducted at The Briggs Manufacturing (North Plant), the location where Abingdon Pottery later moved to make plumbing fixtures in Late Summer or Early Fall 2007. Since the company used similar products/chemicals in their process to produce plumbing fixtures as they used to produce artware, it is suspected that lead may also be present at this location.

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