EPA Begins Soil Investigation
at the Arsenic Mines Site located in
Kent, Putnam County, New York
Community Update No. 1	Summer/Fall 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 southern mine shaft is located in Nimham
Mountain State Forest and the northern mine shaft is
located on private property.
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 were
partially regraded when the area was operated as a ski slope
for a short time, 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.
The soil in the area was tested 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.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES
EPA will begin investigating soil at private properties surrounding the
historic Arsenic Mines. Historical sampling results indicate several
residential properties had elevated arsenic concentrations in soil.
Additional sampling data is needed to delineate the tailings pile, to
(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
Suspected
tailings area
Former
Mine Shaft
Locations
(approx.)
STATE FOREST

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Community Update No. 1
Summer/Fall 2017
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
determine if anyone is being exposed to contaminants from the
historic mine. EPA encourages all property owners who are
contacted by EPA to participate in the soil sampling event. The
NYSDEC is conducting a separate investigation in Ninham
Mountain State Forest, and will be conducting a study on
concentrations of arsenic in the area, which may help EPA to
interpret sampling results from the areas near the suspected
tailings pile.
NEXT STEPS
Soil sampling is planned for late summer or fall 2017 and 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.
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.

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