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In 1985, Precision Chrome reported a spill containing chromium from a leak in the condensate return system. Because of the spill, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) sampled the non-contact cooling water that was being returned to the pond, soil from the area around the ventilation system, and soil from the southeast corner of the building. [2]
In February 1986, a water sample was taken from the recharge well on the site. In March 1986, cooling water from the on-site pond was sampled and chromium VI was found. Sodium bisulfate was added to the cooling water impoundment to change the chromium VI to less-toxic chromium III. In July 1986, another sample was collected from the cooling water impoundment. Illinois EPA also sampled two ponds on private residential property south of the site in 1986. [2]
In 1987, Precision Chrome reported a spill of about 200 gallons of chromic acid on the northeast portion of the property. Thirty cubic yards of soil were excavated and removed after the spill. Subsequently, Illinois EPA sampled the recharge well water and non-contact cooling water. [2]
In August 1990, the site was placed on the Comprehensive Environmental Resource Compensation and Liability Inventory System (CERCLIS) list due to the potential
risk to public health and the surrounding environment. [1] In October 1991, water samples were collected from the recharge well, the non-contact cooling water discharge pipe, and cooling water from the pond on the site. A sediment sample was also collected from the cooling water pond. [1]
In 1992, Illinois EPA conducted a
Comprehensive Environmental Resource Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) screening site inspection report. Soil, sediment, and water samples were collected from various areas on and off the site.[2] There are currently eleven groundwater monitoring wells on the site (
Attachment 3). These wells have been sampled quarterly since February 1995. [3]
In March 1997, a groundwater extraction and containment system was installed. The system used a submersible, centrifugal pump installed in extraction well one (EW-1), which is 60 feet deep and 6 inches in diameter. The pump rate was 30 gallons per minute, and the extracted water was piped to the Village of Fox Lake's sanitary sewer. The system was shut down in May 1997 because the levels of chromium VI in the effluent exceeded the maximum daily amount allowed by the Village of Fox Lake's sanitary sewer system permit. [4] Precision Chrome would like to have the discharge permit modified, but Illinois EPA has denied this request.
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CONCLUSIONS
Based on the information reviewed, IDPH concludes that a public health hazard may exist from the contamination at the Precision Chrome site. Groundwater on the site is contaminated with lead, manganese, and chromium, including chromium VI. IDPH does not currently know if the private and public drinking water wells on and near the site have been contaminated by site related activities. Some wells in the area were sampled; however, chromium was not analyzed in these samples. The contamination present on the site and in the groundwater may migrate to drinking water wells in the area.
Page last updated: December 7, 2009
