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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Health assessment for Palmerton Zinc, Palmerton, Pennsylvania, Region 3. CERCLIS No. PAD002395887. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6984231
An active zinc smelter that began operation in 1898 has contaminated several square miles of eastern Pennsylvania with phytotoxic concentrations of zinc. Runoff containing soil contaminated with high concentrations of cadmium, lead, and zinc from the defoliated area contributes to heavy metal contamination identified in fish in area streams. Consumption of fish from the area streams presents a potential health threat; the public should be advised to consume fish from the immediate area streams on a limited basis only (no more than once per week). The proposed revegetation action will be an acceptable approach to eliminate a significant source of continuing contamination to the area's streams.
Research Organization:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA (USA)
OSTI ID:
6984231
Report Number(s):
PB-90-144155/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English