St. Louis Smelting and Refining Site Soil Sample Results: Fact Sheet #3

              St. Louis Smelting And Refining Site
Soil Sample Results
Fact Sheet #3
May 2002
Collinsville, Illinois
In March and April of 2002, the Illinois Environmental
Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) conducted a site
investigation in the area of the former St. Louis Smelting
and Refining Company lead smelter. Many factors,
including the past operations at the site, influenced the
Illinois EPA’s decision to conduct this expanded site
investigation.
Where is the St.
Louis Smelting
and Refining
Site located?
The St. Louis Smelting and Refining Site, formerly known as the Collinwoods
subdivision site, is located on the northeast side of the city of Collinsville. The site
encompasses Pine Lake, Pine Lake subdivision, portions of Collinwoods
subdivision and portions of California Avenue.
Between 1904 and 1933, the St. Louis Smelting and Refining Company operated
a lead smelter at the location that is now home to the Collinwoods and Pine Lake
subdivisions. Historical maps indicate that the facility’s main operations occurred
on approximately 24 acres east of Pine Lake and north of Pine Lake Road.
What did the St.
Louis Smelting
and Refining
Company
produce?
The company produced a variety of lead products including lead ingots, lead
sheets and powdered lead. The lead smelting process also resulted in the
production of large amounts of lead-bearing waste also known as slag. Slag is a
mixture of lead and other elements, impurities and ash. Lead slag for this facility
was disposed of in large piles on the site. One such pile existed on the south side
of Pine Lake Road, starting across from the intersection of Lemontree Lane and
extending to the Pine Lake Road cul-de-sac.
Is lead from the
smelter is still
in the soil?
In March 2002, project managers from the Illinois EPA conducted soil analysis for
metals, including lead, at 31 residential properties. Soil samples were analyzed
with an X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) device. Analysis results indicate that several
residential areas including yards and drainage ways have been impacted by the
past industrial operations. During the sampling event Illinois EPA project
managers observed the remains of lead slag, chunks and particles. These
observations were made primarily in areas surrounding Pine Lake Drive, Raintree
Trail, Lemontree Lane, Banyan Tree Road, Pinehurst Court, and Pine Lake Road,
as well as at Pine Lake and the small pond east of the Pine Lake Road cul-de-sac.
Has soil from
Collinwoods
Subdivision
Site sampling conducted in September 1986 and May 1991 indicated elevated
levels of lead in the soil in some areas of the former smelter site. As a result of
the high levels of lead in the soil, the Illinois EPA and the Illinois Department of
Fact Sheet #3 - St. Louis Smelting And Refining Page 1 of 3
http://www.epa.state.il.us/community-relations/fact-sheets/stl-smelting/stl-smelting-3.html 5/24/2012