Hazardous Substance Research Centers/South & Southwest

Site description

An area in the Rim Area, Mission Hills, and Kern Place communities of El Paso with elevated concentrations of arsenic and lead in soil.

Organizations requesting assistance

Neighborhood Associations of El Paso

Summary of assistance (updated September 2004)

TOSC continues its work with the Neighborhood Associations of El Paso addressing and understanding residential properties with elevated levels of lead and arsenic in soil. Investigations into the source or sources of the lead and arsenic indicate possible contributions from a now shuttered ASARCO smelter on the west side of the City, Mexican industries that still release lead-containing emissions, and from automobiles crossing from Mexico, where leaded gasoline is still used, into El Paso. The Neighborhood Association is fighting to prevent listing on the National Priorities List (NPL or Superfund), fearing a decrease in property values, stigma associated with a listing, and costly, and often unnecessary, residential cleanup activities.

TOSC has visited El Paso several times since September 2002 to meet with representatives of the Neighborhood Association and participate in meetings with local, state, and federal environmental and health officials. Most recently, TOSC participated in a facilitated meeting (October 2003) with the Neighborhood Association, the U.S. EPA, the Texas Department of Public Health, Texas Department of Environmental Quality, and local health agencies and city officials. Discussion centered on the inclusion of portions of the city on the NPL. As of the date of this report, there is still controversy over what areas to include on the NPL, and how much longer EPA can continue to fund cleanups at the homes of El Paso residents affected by elevated levels of lead and arsenic. The Community and TOSC are currently investigating the affect of NPL listing on property values.