EPA Continues Soil Investigation
at the Arsenic Mines Site located in
Kent, Putnam County, New York
Community Update No. 2	Fall/Winter 2017
SITE BACKGROUND
The Arsenic Mines Site is the location of a historic mine
that was operated from the mid-1800s through
approximately 1918, near Pine Pond in Kent, Putnam
County, New York. The mine, which has also been
known as Pine Pond Mine, Silver Mine and Nimham
Mountain Mines, contains arsenopyrite, a metal ore that
was used in pesticides, pigments, and other industries.
The mine's two entry shafts were near Mt. Nimham
Road and Gypsy Trail Road. The northern, main mine
shaft is located on private property and the southern
mine shaft is located in Nimham Mountain State Forest.
As part of mining activities, waste rock and soil known
as tailings were separated from the valuable ore, and the
tailings were discarded in areas surrounding the mine,
including on several residential properties. The tailings
are contaminated with arsenic at levels that exceed the
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's)
health-based standards. The hills surrounding the
tailings pile may have been partially regraded over the
years, potentially spreading arsenic contamination.
The arsenic issue was discovered in the late 1980s when a couple was
hospitalized with arsenic poisoning from their well water, after the
well had been unknowingly installed through the tailings pile. The
EPA installed a system for water filtration and clean water storage,
which was repaired in 2016. Groundwater in the area has been
monitored by the Putnam County Department of Health since the
1980s, and several residences have filtration systems installed.
Limited soil testing was done by the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and EPA in the 1980s, but
since there are naturally high levels of arsenic in soil in this region, it
was unclear whether the arsenic was from the tailings or was naturally
occurring, and no action was taken for the soil.
RECENT EPA SAMPLING RESULTS
In August 2017, EPA conducted more robust soil sampling at several
private properties surrounding the historic main mining entrance, to
determine the extent of contamination from mining waste. The results
show that arsenic levels as high as 1,600 times the EPA screening level
are present at the mine entrance, and the most elevated arsenic levels
appear to be located downhill from the mine entrance.	(over)
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If you have any questions or
would like additional
information, please contact:
Cecilia Echols
EPA Community Involvement
Coordinator
212-637-3678
Echols.Cecilia@epa.gov
Margaret Gregor
EPA On-Scene Coordinator
732-321-4424
Gregor. Margaret@epa. gov
Sandra Richards
EPA On-Scene Coordinator
732-452-6402
Richards. Sandra@epa. gov
Former Mine Shaft Locations (approx.)
Additional
EPA Study
Initial EPA
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Community Update No. 2
Fall/Winter 2017
The sampling also revealed much lower elevated arsenic levels
on several private properties. EPA is providing the results to the
property owners and will be discussing the next steps, which
may include a cleanup conducted by EPA.
NEXT STEPS
The August 2017 sampling event did not determine the full
extent of the impact to the north and east of the mine. Therefore,
additional sampling is needed to delineate the tailings piles and
areas where contaminated soil could have settled over the years.
This will help to determine if anyone is being exposed to
contaminants from the historic mine. The sampling is tentatively
planned for November or December 2017. EPA encourages all
property owners who are contacted by EPA to participate in the
soil sampling event. Sampling results will be analyzed by EPA
and shared with the owners of the private properties that are
sampled. The EPA is coordinating activities with the property
owners, the Putnam County Department of Health, NYSDEC
and local officials.
EPA INVESTIGATIONS AND CLEANUPS
The EPA conducts investigations, like the one at the Arsenic Mines Site, at properties where hazardous
substances may have been released into the environment. Evaluation of the site is done through collecting
environmental samples and searching through historical documents. If the EPA determines that a release has
or is likely to occur from a current or historic facility, steps are taken to determine if an EPA cleanup is
appropriate. If so, the EPA will take action to protect public health and the environment.
ARSENIC IN RESIDENTIAL SOIL
Exposure to elevated levels of arsenic in residential soils happens through contact with contaminated soil.
Common activities that may increase exposure are:
•	Eating without first washing hands and face.
•	Eating unwashed vegetables grown in contaminated soils.
•	Children playing in contaminated bare soil.
•	Gardening or digging in contaminated bare soil.
SIMPLE STEPS TO REDUCE EXPOSURE TO ARSENIC IN SOILS
Following these steps can reduce your potential exposure to arsenic contamination that may be present in the
surface soils:
•	Wash children's hands frequently, but especially after playing outside, before they eat, and before
bedtime. Adults should also wash hands frequently.
•	Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables, especially those grown in soils in the yard.
•	Place washable rugs at all entries into the home. Leave shoes at the door to prevent contaminated soil
from being tracked into the home.
•	Clean your home weekly to keep it as dust free as possible. Clean floors, window sills, doorframes, and
baseboards with soap and water. Use a vacuum with HEPA filter for cleaning.
•	Keep children away from bare soil areas; mulch bare soil areas and maintain grass cover.
If you would like information on
general environmental concerns or
the federal Superfund hazardous
waste program, have concerns or
complaints about the Superfund
program, or if you seek assistance in
resolving site-specific issues that
were not fully addressed by the EPA,
please contact:
George Zachos
U.S. EPA
Regional Public Liaison
(732)321-6621
zachos. george@epa. gov
Or toll free at (888) 283-7626

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