Ventura County Wetlands Area Could Become Superfund Site
California boating guide-news & classifieds: "Ventura County Wetlands Area Could Become Superfund Site
Friday, March 23, 2007
By Catherine French
OXNARD - For 39 years, millions of gallons of wastewater contaminated with heavy metals and several radioactive isotopes was discharged by Halaco Engineering Co., which operated a scrap metal salvage facility located adjacent to the Ormond Beach Wetlands in Oxnard until 2004.
The solids that settled out of the wastewater were piled onto a slagheap that grew 40 ft. high and encompasses about 28 acres. According to the Regional Water Quality Control Board, the slagheap emitted ammonia and radioactive elements such as thorium and uranium-238. Unlined ponds leaked contaminated wastewater into the wetlands, the ocean and groundwater.
Thorium is naturally occurring, but has been shown to cause an increase in cancers of the lung, pancreas and blood in workers exposed to high levels of it in the air.
On March 7, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed adding the Halaco site to the national list of Superfund sites. Once on the list, federal funds can be issued to help with cleanup."
Friday, March 23, 2007
By Catherine French
OXNARD - For 39 years, millions of gallons of wastewater contaminated with heavy metals and several radioactive isotopes was discharged by Halaco Engineering Co., which operated a scrap metal salvage facility located adjacent to the Ormond Beach Wetlands in Oxnard until 2004.
The solids that settled out of the wastewater were piled onto a slagheap that grew 40 ft. high and encompasses about 28 acres. According to the Regional Water Quality Control Board, the slagheap emitted ammonia and radioactive elements such as thorium and uranium-238. Unlined ponds leaked contaminated wastewater into the wetlands, the ocean and groundwater.
Thorium is naturally occurring, but has been shown to cause an increase in cancers of the lung, pancreas and blood in workers exposed to high levels of it in the air.
On March 7, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed adding the Halaco site to the national list of Superfund sites. Once on the list, federal funds can be issued to help with cleanup."
posted by Greta Jane at Friday, March 23, 2007
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