Why is lead the only metals COC? Aren’t there other contaminants such as copper, cadmium, arsenic that come from refining processes?

The site was tested for a complete list of metals as part of the 1992 RCRA Facility Investigation and none of these metals, except lead, were found to be a contaminant of concern and therefore were not identified as a contaminant of concern going forward. The 1992 Report is posted on the Evergreen website for reference.

However, both soil and groundwater samples from various areas of the facility with history of crude storage and processing have been sampled for a more comprehensive analyte list which included other metals as part of the remedial investigation activities.  These data have all been included in the RIRs.

Note: this response addresses other similar questions:

  1. The refinery was historically coal-fired.  Where and how has the site been tested for Arsenic?
  2. Should other heavy metals be expected to be found given the history of heavy industrial use?
  3. Evergreen fails to properly delineate the contamination of arsenic, manganese, and other inorganics (metals) in the unconfined aquifer and the deep aquifer.