Discovering unrecognized lead-smelting sites by historical methods
W P Eckel1, M B Rabinowitz, G D Foster
1Environmental Science-Public Policy Program, George Mason University, Fairfax, Va., USA. weckel@osf1.gmu.edu
Objectives:
Our objective was to enumerate unrecognized former lead smelters in the United States.
Methods:
Defunct smelters were identified by historical research. The compiled list was compared with government registries of hazardous sites. Soil samples were taken from 10 sites.
Results:
Approximately 430 sites were unknown to the federal authorities. Only 5 of 319 sites were known to authorities in the top 8 states. Nine of the 10 sites sampled exceeded residential standards for soil lead level.
Conclusions:
Approximately 430 former lead-smelting sites were unrecognized in the United States. Sampling results indicate that the sites may pose a threat to public health.
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