Environmental Progress - Fall 2003

IEPA Responds to Environmental Justice Concerns in Freeport

Residents concerned with cancer case numbers, potential health threats

In the Taylor Park area of Freeport (Stephenson County), residents have been concerned for years about statistically elevated cancer levels in the community.

To help identify possible causes, the Freeport Weed and Seed Committee commissioned an environmental report to provide them with technical information. The report contended that higher than allowable levels of inorganic chemicals in the Taylor Park area might present a risk to human health.

The Freeport Citizens Environmental Justice Group, formed by Freeport residents, asked the Illinois EPA's Office of Environmental Justice to review the report and evaluate the findings. It is the goal of the Illinois EPA to protect the health of the citizens of Illinois and its environment, and to promote environmental equity. The Agency's Office of Environmental Justice has the primary responsibility of ensuring environmental justice for all citizens.

At Freeport, the IEPA determined that, since the soil samples were taken 12 feet below the surface, the report did not accurately represent surface soil conditions. Soil samples should have been collected from the surface to be meaningful since surface soils can provide a potential pathway for exposure.

In addition, incorrect standards had been used when comparing the study results with the established health guidelines.

With the question of possible exposure to contaminants unanswered, both the city of Freeport and the Freeport Citizens' Environmental Justice Group still wanted to know whether there was soil contamination that posed a risk to area residents. In response, the IEPA agreed to conduct additional testing to help the residents identify possible environmental problems and, if possible, their sources.

Additional soil testing was conducted in early October. These tests were taken from the same five homes sampled in the earlier report compiled for the Freeport Weed and Seed Committee. One additional property and a private drinking water well in the area were also sampled.

The sample results were then analyzed, then evaluated and interpreted by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to determine if any health hazards are present. Individual property owners were provided their sampling results along with the IDPH interpretation. Both Illinois EPA and IDPH representatives scheduled meetings with the homeowners individually to explain and discuss the sample results. Generally though, the results did not indicate levels of contaminants in the samples that would be considered a health concern by IDPH.

Freeport Mayor Jim Gitz and the Freeport Citizens Environmental Justice Group expressed appreciation to the IEPA for assisting in the soil sampling. "There is a great deal of concern in the wake of the previous report," Mayor Gitz said, "We need to determine once and for all whether there is extensive soil contamination in the Taylor Park area and what level of risk it presents, if any. We also need to address community concerns about environmental contamination at other sites throughout the eastside. The best way to do this is to bring together the various stakeholders - area residents, local officials, and health and environmental professionals - in an organized way."

The city has approved formation of a task force to coordinate state and local resources to address the issues raised by area residents. The task force will include both medical and environmental professionals as well as area residents.