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National Information |
National Priorities List (NPL) HistoryProposed Date Final Date |
Superfund Program
Asarco
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Site Type: Active NPL City: Denver County: Adams Street Address: 495 E. 51st Avenue Zip Code: 80216 |
| EPA ID#: COD007063530 Site ID#: 0800078 Site Aliases: American Smelting & Refining Co., Asarco Globe Congressional District(s): 01 |
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Site Description
The ASARCO, Globe Plant site is located in a mixed industrial, commercial and residential area, known as Globeville, near the South Platte River, in Denver and south Adams Counties. Smelting operations that separated impurities from gold, silver, copper and lead on the site began in 1886. The American Smelting and Refining Company, later named ASARCO, bought the plant and converted it to a lead-only production facility in 1901.
In 1919, ASARCO changed from producing lead to producing arsenic trioxide for insecticides, medicines and glass. In 1926 the company began cadmium production for protective coating of iron and steel. At the present time, the Globe Plant produces high-purity metal alloys and specialty metals for advanced electronic applications.
In December 1983, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) sued ASARCO for damages to natural resources using EPA's Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (Superfund). As a result of this suit, CDPHE and ASARCO entered into an agreement in 1987 to conduct joint studies to determine the extent and nature of the site contamination. EPA proposed the ASARCO Globe Plant for its National Priorities List on May 10, 1993.
The State of Colorado and ASARCO reached a settlement in July 1993 to clean up the site. ASARCO will pay for the site's cleanup. CDPHE is in charge of administrative and technical oversight. The settlement includes measures to:
- Reduce toxic emissions from the plant
- Monitor emissions from the plant
- Reduce future contamination of ground water
- Clean ditches on plant grounds
- Close a hazardous waste pile on the plant
- Sample community soils and clean up those soils that are a health concern due to metals
- Provide a medical monitoring program
- Provide long-term monitoring of the site
Site Risk
The smelting operations left elevated levels of cadmium, lead, arsenic and zinc in ground water, surface water, sediments and soil at and near the plant. The contaminated ground water extends as far as the South Platte River.
People can be exposed to contaminants by swallowing contaminated soil or by inhaling the dust. Exposure can potentially cause cancers, such as skin cancer. Possible non-carcinogenic effects from exposure over long periods of time include damage to the central nervous system, reproductive system, kidneys, and digestive tract.
| Media Affected | Contaminants | Source of Contamination |
| Ground water, sediment, surface water, soils | Cadmium, lead, arsenic, zinc | Metals smelting and refining |
Cleanup Progress
Cleanup of community soils began in the summer of 1994. Residential cleanup was completed in the summer of 2002. Some 650 properties were cleaned up and 70 acres of commercial property have been remediated. Workers completed cleanup of the industrial drainage ditch in the fall of 1995. The terrace drain was completed early in 1999 and treats about 12,000 gallons of water per day.Documents
Note: the following documents are VERY LARGE PDF FILESAbout PDF files
- Record of Decision, Asarco Globe Plant Site - February 18, 1993 (PDF, 16 MB)
- Asarco Globe 5-Year Review (PDF, 3.1 MB)
- Annual Update 5-Year Review December 2007 (PDF, 3 pp, 39 K)
Community Involvement
A Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) was awarded to the Globeville community for an independent technical advisor to review work plans and other cleanup documents
Contacts
EPAVictor KetellapperSuperfund Project Manager U.S. EPA Region 8 (EPR-SR) 1595 Wynkoop St Denver, CO 80202-1129 (302) 312-6578 or 1-800-227-8917 x6578 (Region 8 only) Email: ketellapper.victor@epa.gov Patricia Courtney,
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ColoradoBarbara O'GradyState Project Manager Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South Denver, CO 80246-1530 (303) 692-3395 Email: barbara.ogrady@state.co.us Derek Boer |
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View Documents at: EPA Superfund Records Center Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Globeville Information Center Denver Public Library, Central Branch |
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