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Soil Sampling to Begin In Palmerton and Lower Towamensing Area

Release Date: 9/16/2002
Contact Information: David Polish, 215-814-3327 & Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

David Polish, 215-814-3327 & Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

PALMERTON, Pa. – Starting this month, the United States Environmental Protection Agency in cooperation with Viacom International, Inc., and Horsehead Industries, Inc., will begin soliciting residents to participate in the upcoming soil sampling at the Palmerton Zinc Pile Superfund Site. Property owners will soon receive letters requesting their participation in the program.

The sampling program is designed to determine if the soil on a residential property has been contaminated with lead at concentrations high enough to warrant cleanup.

This first phase of the program will address approximately 1600 properties. Soil sampling is expected to begin in October. Participation is strictly voluntary. However, the EPA strongly encourages residents to take advantage of the free sampling and testing program. The results of the sampling program will help bring the area closer to completion of the Superfund cleanup process.

The deadline to return the permission forms is October 15, 2002. Forms can be mailed to Post Office Box 317, Palmerton, PA 18701, or dropped off at the Joint Palmerton Superfund Project Office located at 125 Delaware Avenue.