EAST HELENA SUPER FUND SITE
What is a Superfund site?
A Superfund site is a is a hazardous waste site. Some Superfund sites affect the local areas water supply, the local ecosystem and in turn the local people.
The East Helena Superfund Site:
The East Helena Superfund site is located just south of East Helena, Montana in Lewis and Clark County. The site contained a lead smelting unit that operated for more than 100 years. It is estimated that lead, arsenic, zinc, copper, cadmium, as well as many other harmful chemicals were deposited into the soil since the smelter opened in 1888. This site's cleanup is a high concern because it is in extremely close proximity to residential areas. The site is currently undergoing cleanup efforts that have been in affect since 1996. The cleanup efforts aim at making the process ponds, residential, and agricultural lands safe for human interaction. At the head of the clean up efforts is ASARCO and the Environmental Protection Agency.
What is lead smelting?
Lead smelting plants work on purifying both primary and secondary lead. Primary lead is mined directly from ore while secondary lead is recovered from used objects. For primary lead, the first step is to rid the lead of its sulfur through a process called sintering. Smelting is the next step after sintering. During the smelting phase, lead is super heated to separate it from other materials. Any other materials are then removed during the refining process. Secondary lead goes through a very similar process, but it does not undergo the sintering phase. This whole process can lead to pollution. Lead dust and toxic slag can be produced from the lead isolation process, and if smelting plants/equipment is not properly constructed to reduce the release of pollutants, then lead toxins can enter the environment.
What are the dangers of lead pollution?
Lead can have dangerous affects on practically every organ in the human body, but its effects the nervous system the most. Children are more susceptible to lead poisoning than adults. Lead poisoning can cause problems with bones, nerve disorders, high blood pressure, memory and concentration problems, behavior and growth problems in children, and digestive issues. Lead that seeps into the soil or contaminates water sources can lead to high levels of lead in the body; this is when a person may begin to feel the effects of lead poisoning. Prolonged exposure to high amounts of lead can lead to death.
A Superfund site is a is a hazardous waste site. Some Superfund sites affect the local areas water supply, the local ecosystem and in turn the local people.
The East Helena Superfund Site:
The East Helena Superfund site is located just south of East Helena, Montana in Lewis and Clark County. The site contained a lead smelting unit that operated for more than 100 years. It is estimated that lead, arsenic, zinc, copper, cadmium, as well as many other harmful chemicals were deposited into the soil since the smelter opened in 1888. This site's cleanup is a high concern because it is in extremely close proximity to residential areas. The site is currently undergoing cleanup efforts that have been in affect since 1996. The cleanup efforts aim at making the process ponds, residential, and agricultural lands safe for human interaction. At the head of the clean up efforts is ASARCO and the Environmental Protection Agency.
What is lead smelting?
Lead smelting plants work on purifying both primary and secondary lead. Primary lead is mined directly from ore while secondary lead is recovered from used objects. For primary lead, the first step is to rid the lead of its sulfur through a process called sintering. Smelting is the next step after sintering. During the smelting phase, lead is super heated to separate it from other materials. Any other materials are then removed during the refining process. Secondary lead goes through a very similar process, but it does not undergo the sintering phase. This whole process can lead to pollution. Lead dust and toxic slag can be produced from the lead isolation process, and if smelting plants/equipment is not properly constructed to reduce the release of pollutants, then lead toxins can enter the environment.
What are the dangers of lead pollution?
Lead can have dangerous affects on practically every organ in the human body, but its effects the nervous system the most. Children are more susceptible to lead poisoning than adults. Lead poisoning can cause problems with bones, nerve disorders, high blood pressure, memory and concentration problems, behavior and growth problems in children, and digestive issues. Lead that seeps into the soil or contaminates water sources can lead to high levels of lead in the body; this is when a person may begin to feel the effects of lead poisoning. Prolonged exposure to high amounts of lead can lead to death.
Citations:
Wiley, Eliza. "Remediation Efforts Continue In East Helena At Former Asarco Smelter Site." Independent Record. 25 Sept. 2012. Web. 4 Feb. 2015. <http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/32/332e0fbc-06a2-11e2-840a-001a4bcf887a/5060f1310608f.preview-620.jpg>.
"METG - Montana Environmental Trust Group:." Montana Environmental Trust Group. Web. 9 Feb. 2015. <http://www.mtenvironmentaltrust.org/east-helena>.
Health Consultation. Portland, Or.: Environmental Health Assessment Program, Oregon Public Health Division, Department of Human Services, 2008. East Helena Superfund Site. US Department of Health and Human Services, 20 May 2008. Web. 9 Feb. 2015.
"Lead Smelting." :: WorstPolluted.org : Projects Reports. Blacksmith Institute, 2011. Web. 10 Feb. 2015.
"EPA." East Helena Site. Web. 11 Feb. 2015. <http://www2.epa.gov/region8/east-helena-site>.
Wiley, Eliza. "Remediation Efforts Continue In East Helena At Former Asarco Smelter Site." Independent Record. 25 Sept. 2012. Web. 4 Feb. 2015. <http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/32/332e0fbc-06a2-11e2-840a-001a4bcf887a/5060f1310608f.preview-620.jpg>.
"METG - Montana Environmental Trust Group:." Montana Environmental Trust Group. Web. 9 Feb. 2015. <http://www.mtenvironmentaltrust.org/east-helena>.
Health Consultation. Portland, Or.: Environmental Health Assessment Program, Oregon Public Health Division, Department of Human Services, 2008. East Helena Superfund Site. US Department of Health and Human Services, 20 May 2008. Web. 9 Feb. 2015.
"Lead Smelting." :: WorstPolluted.org : Projects Reports. Blacksmith Institute, 2011. Web. 10 Feb. 2015.
"EPA." East Helena Site. Web. 11 Feb. 2015. <http://www2.epa.gov/region8/east-helena-site>.
