Public Notice: EPA Begins Sixth Review of Cross Brothers Pail Recycling Superfund Site

Summary

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is conducting a Five-Year Review of the Cross Brothers Pail Recycling Superfund site in Pembroke Township, Illinois. The Superfund law requires reviews at least every 5 years at sites where the cleanup is complete—with waste managed on-site—to make sure the cleanup continues to protect people and the environment. This is the sixth Five-Year Review for this site. 

EPA’s cleanup at the site consisted of the removal of buried waste materials, pails, drums and contaminated soil. The Agency installed a treatment system to remove contaminants from groundwater and installed a multi-layer cap to cover certain areas of the site. EPA also implemented a groundwater monitoring program and limits on land use.

The most recent Five-Year Review discovered that an individual had begun construction on a parcel of land within the site boundaries. Upon this discovery, EPA analyzed the material and soil excavated in this construction project for contaminants. This assessment revealed high lead concentrations in the soil. In response to these results, EPA will conduct further assessments.

This year, EPA took groundwater samples from four monitoring wells in the area. Results indicated additional sampling will be necessary. A full report of the results will be made available when the current five-year review report is finalized and published on the site webpage.

To complete additional sampling, EPA will need written permission from property owners within the site boundary to access their private wells. If you receive mail from EPA requesting permission for sampling, please reply. The work is essential to EPA’s mission to protect your health and the environment around you.

Information on the Cross Brothers Pail Recycling Superfund site can be found at Kankakee Public Library, 201 E. Merchant Street, Kankakee, and at Cross Brothers Pail Superfund Page