Pat Quinn, Governor
|
|
|
||
|
Pat Quinn, Governor |
|||
|
|
Community Relations - Fact SheetsInterstate Heat Treating, Inc. SiteFact Sheet #1
|
| You say that the site is “sealed.” Is it secure so that children cannot enter the site? | Illinois EPA has placed large warning signs at the site indicating that the site may pose an immediate danger to the environment and public health. Illinois EPA has also attempted to restrict access to the building by securing the doors to the building with locks and chains. The drums and tanks that contain hazardous substances are inside the building. Currently, children can get onto the site, since the fence does not extend fully around the south side of the site. It is important that parents warn children not to go onto the site. While representative sampling has been done to identify hazardous substances in abandoned drums and other containers above ground on the site, it is important to note that the full scope of hazards at the site (both chemical and physical) has not yet been determined. |
| What action is being taken to remove the chemicals from the site? | Illinois EPA has referred this matter to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office (IAGO). The IAGO will be filing a complaint against persons that may be responsible for the site conditions in the Vermillion County Circuit Court. The complaint will request, in part, an order requiring complete identification of all wastes on-site and safe removal and proper disposal of all hazardous substances from the site. In addition, Illinois EPA and U.S. EPA technical staff will evaluate the site during the week of August 18th regarding the potential for using federal emergency response funds to remove hazardous materials that pose an immediate threat to public health and the environment. |
| Should I be concerned about the safety of my child, who attends the Vermillion Area Special Education’s Safe Schools Program (the former McMillan School) across the street from the site? | Illinois EPA and Illinois Department of Public Health recommend that all persons stay away from the site. As long as people do not come into contact with the abandoned drums or vats of chemicals, there should be no exposure to the contents. Again, while some drums were found outside, the identified hazardous materials are inside the building. |
| Why types of chemicals or other hazardous substances were found from the samples taken? | At present, barium metal and barium chloride are the contaminants of concern. Trace amounts of other materials were found, but at levels too low to be considered hazardous. |
| Do any of these chemicals pose a health risk to persons who work, attend school or play near the site? | As stated above, according to the sample results to date, there should be no risk to people who stay off the site. Warning signs have been posted and there is a fence around the site (except the south side). In addition, Illinois EPA is making this fact sheet available to parents of all the children who attend the Middlefork School at McMillan School so they will be aware that it is important to stay away from the site. We will also send this fact sheet to residents immediately adjacent to the site and the news media, and it will be posted on our web site, www.epa.state.il.us.At the initial inspection, Illinois EPA staff checked for, but did not find, any chemical vapors coming from materials at the site. |
| Will there be a danger to people in the area when a cleanup of the hazardous substances takes place at the site? | Illinois EPA or U.S. EPA will require a work plan and a health and safety plan from whoever removes the hazardous substances. Further, Illinois EPA or U.S. EPA will provide oversight during the work to make sure that precautions are taken to protect the health and safety of nearby residents, workers and school children. |
| Can you tell me what steps will be taken to clean up or remove the hazardous substances? | Specific cleanup steps cannot be determined until Illinois EPA staff has discussed a work plan with the parties that will be doing the cleanup. We will then be able to tell concerned citizens how the cleanup or removal will proceed. |
| Will there be future updates about activities at the site? | Yes. Illinois EPA will issue another fact sheet or news release as soon as a decision is made about actions that need to be taken at the site. If you know of anyone who would like to be added to the mailing list to receive further updates on this site, please have them contact Carol Fuller at the phone number or e-mail address listed below. |
| Carol
Fuller Community Relations Coord Illinois EPA (217) 524-8807 |
Maggie Carson Public Information Officer Illinois EPA (217) 557-8138 |
Cary Ware IDPH Toxicologist Champaign Regional Office 2125 S. First St. Champaign, IL 61820 (217) 278-5000 |
Community Relations |
| About Community Relations |
| Staff Directory |
| Fact Sheets |
| Copyright © 1996-2011 Illinois EPA | Agency Site Map | Privacy Information | Kids Privacy | Web Accessibility | Agency Webmaster |
