El Paso County/Dona Ana County Metals Site El Paso, Texas July 15,2002 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6, in cooperation with the Texas Department of Health (TDH), local city/county officials, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and New Mexico Department of Health (NMDoH), have completed a wide area assessment in designated areas of El Paso, Texas, and Sunland Park, New Mexico. Activities are being coordinated with the Mexico environmental agencies. CURRENT STATUS EPA in cooperation with the TNRCC, NMED, and county and local health agencies will be providing information to local residents starting the week of July 15, 2002 on the results of the extensive sampling in El Paso and Dona Ana counties. The agencies will also provide plans to address contaminated soils found in residential and high access areas such as parks and private day care centers. On February 25, 2002, EPA in cooperation with its partner agencies and in response to requests by local residents and elected officials, conducted additional soils sampling. Surface soil and subsurface soil samples were collected at 423 locations. 1800 samples were taken for the analysis. Samples were analyzed for arsenic and lead. The samples were taken in residences, day cares, private schools, and in industrial areas. The area of interest was a three mile radius of the juncture of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. The results of this sampling indicate that several residential areas east of Mesa Street and north of I-10 have levels of arsenic and lead above EPA screening levels. This area is approximately 2 miles east of the juncture of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. Sampling that was done in Sunland Park, New Mexico indicates that no elevated levels of arsenic or lead were found in residential areas. The screening level for arsenic is 24 parts per million (ppm) and the screening level for lead is 500 ppm. WHAT'S NEXT - Due to the recent sampling results, some residential areas will require additional sampling. After this data is collected an EPA removal action may be necessary. - Based on statistical analysis, residential neighborhoods will be sampled to determine if additional homes are impacted. EPA teams will be in affected neighborhoods starting the week of July 15, 2002 to provide specific property results, and acquire new access agreements from residents. PREVIOUS ACTIVITIES The EPA conducted initial confirmation soil sampling in July, 2001 in El Paso and Sunland Park on certain public areas, such as public schools and parks. This activity was coordinated with TNRCC, TDH, NMED NMDoH, the Cities of El Paso and Sunland Park, and El Paso City/County Health and Environmental District. Over 400 samples from approximately 100 locations were collected and analyzed. Based on preliminary results from these schools /parks, EPA and agencies conducted further soil sampling, in late July, 2001 in El Paso and Dona ------- Ana County. Initial data suggested elevated concentrations of arsenic and lead in soil above EPA's screening levels. Air monitoring data did not show levels of concern for heavy metals. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and TDH completed health consultations which concluded that the concentrations of lead and arsenic found in soil from the schools, parks, and UTEP do not pose a public health hazard. In December, 2001, EPA in cooperation with State, County, and City health officials held a series of community meetings to update residents in Sunland Park and El Paso. Whether the level of metals found in the soil could affect you or your child's health depends on whether or not you or your child regularly came into contact with or has been exposed to contaminated soil. If you have concerns about your or your child's health and wish to be tested, please consult your doctor or the local City/County Health Department at 915-771- 5702 (El Paso) or, 505-528-5152 (New Mexico). BACKGROUND A January 23, 2001 El Paso Times article stated that heavy metals contamination had been identified in soil samples taken near the Sun Bowl stadium. The paper stated that cadmium, arsenic, and lead were significantly higher than background. State Senator Eliot Shapleigh requested advice from a group of local health, environment, and academic officials. This group, known as the El Paso Soils Workgroup, is made up of representatives from the TDH, the TNRCC, the El Paso City/County Health and Environment District, the University of Texas at El Paso and EPA. The El Paso Soils Workgroup provided information to EPA and requested EPA's technical assistance so that an evaluation of the potential risk could be made. Confirmation sampling was needed to determine current environmental conditions. Based on the results of the sampling, both the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Superfund authorities may be utilized by the States and/or EPA. In the interest of public involvement, the agencies will continue to keep citizens of El Paso County informed of future actions by frequent updates. WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION For more information on the site activities, please contact: 1-800-533-3508 (toll-free) or 915-533-7273 or, Susan Webster, Team Leader Superfund Site Assessment U.S. EPA Region 6 1445 Ross Ave. (6SF-RA) Dallas, TX 75202 214-665-6784 Jon Rinehart Site Assessment Manager U.S. EPA Region 6 1445 Ross Ave. (6SF-RA) Dallas, TX 75202 214-665-6789 Charles Fisher On-Scene Coordinator U. S. EPA Region 6 1445 Ross Ave. (6SF-R) Dallas, TX 75202 214-665-2224 Donn R. Walters Community Involvement U.S. EPA Region 6 1445 Ross Ave. (6SF-PO) Dallas, TX 75202 214-665-6483 Darrin Swartz-Larson Director U.S. EPA El Paso Border Office 4050 Rio Bravo, Ste. 100 El Paso, TX 79902 915-533-7273 ------- If you wish to be placed on the El Paso County/Dona Ana County site mailing list, please fill out and mail this coupon to: Mr. Donn Walters Community Involvement Coordinator U.S. EPA Region 6 (6SF-PO) 1445 Ross Avenue Dallas, TX 75202 Name: Affiliation: Address: City/State/Zip: FOR ALL MEDIA INQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT MR.. DAVE BARY, REGION 6 PRESS OFFICER, 214-665-2208 You can find more information about the Region 6 Superfund program on EPA's Region 6 website: www.epa.gov/region6/superfund ------- |