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Collinsville, Oklahoma
November 14, 2007
DEQ Press Release
DEQ Asking For Offsite Smelter Material Information / Sampling
November 14, 2007 PRESS RELEASE/MAILING

DEQ AND EPA SOLICITING REQUESTS FOR RESIDENTIAL YARD SAMPLING AND INFORMATION RELATIVE TO POTENTIAL USE OF SMELTER MATERIAL AS FILL

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are seeking information regarding the two historical zinc smelters located approximately 1-mile south of Collinsville. Generally, DEQ and EPA have found that contamination leaves a smelter site in two ways. One is aerial deposition during the operation of the smelter, where emissions from smoke stacks carry particulates offsite. These particulates can contain metals which then can settle on the top of soil, usually close to the smelter. The second way contamination leaves the site is from individuals taking slag, retorts, sand, brick and other smelter waste from the site. Individuals tend to use these materials for fill, driveways, and various other uses. Historical emissions and smelter debris can contain metals. These metals, particularly lead, arsenic and cadmium, can be toxic at high concentrations and should not be in residential and recreational settings.

Both smelters operated in the early 1900's for relatively short periods of time. The smelters operated independently of each other and were owned by different individuals. However, due to their operation in the early 1900's the zinc smelting processes and ores used were similar making the byproducts from both smelters, which are heavy metals, similar.

The smelters are known as the Tulsa Fuel & Manufacturing Superfund Site (TFM) and the Collinsville Smelter. Tulsa Fuel & Manufacturing Site is located on the west side of Old U.S. Highway 169 and is designated as a Superfund site. This means that the site is being cleaned up through a federal EPA program. The DEQ is leading the work and EPA is reviewing and approving DEQ decisions and actions. The Collinsville Smelter is located on the east side of Old U.S. Highway 169 and is being addressed under Oklahoma's Voluntary Cleanup Program. Under this program, the responsible party has entered a voluntary consent order with the DEQ for investigation of the former Collinsville smelter. The DEQ reviews and approves all plans and activities at the site. Although both smelters are in different phases of investigation, sampling will be performed in the near future in residential areas near the smelter sites to determine if there are potential impacts associated with the smelters.

DEQ and EPA are asking that if anyone knows of areas where smelter materials may have been used in the Collinsville area and/or are interested in having their yard sampled, please contact the DEQ project manager, Sara Downard at (405) 702-5126; e-mail: Sara.Downard@deq.state.ok.us

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Ted Wright -- last update 11/14/2007 (SmelterDEQNov14.html) www.cvilleok.com

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