ELEVATED RADIOACTIVITY LEVELS FOUND AT GLEN COVE CREEK N.Y.

Recently, EPA sampling of piles of material dredged from Glen Cove Creek, N.Y., by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and temporarily stored on the Li Tungsten federal Superfund site revealed elevated levels of radioactivity in a number of locations.

As a result, the Corps suspended dredging operations in the Creek. To prevent public access, EPA and the Corps installed additional fencing and warning signs around the perimeter and within the interior of the property where the dredged materials are located. Perimeter monitoring shows no elevated levels of radioactivity.

Public Concerns

Preliminary test results of the stockpiled materials found that the primary contamination source in the dredged piles is pieces of ore or slag. Remaining sediments in the Creek adjacent to the Li Tungsten facility may also contain pieces of ore or slag. If any of this material still remains in the Creek, it is unlikely to dissolve in water. Currents in the Creek are minimal, suggesting that any bottom material, including sediments stirred up by the dredging operations, should remain in the inner Creek.

In addition, recent preliminary screening of a sand shoal at the mouth of the Creek adjacent to nearby beaches for radioactivity showed levels that are normally expected for naturally occurring radioactivity. This is significant because the sand shoal is more than a half-mile from where the Corps was dredging and is adjacent to nearby beaches. This information would seem to indicate that radioactive material in the Creek has not impacted local beaches at Hempstead Harbor and the Long Island Sound.

The stockpiled dredged material is wet and not readily airborne, particularly when not disturbed. EPA will conduct dust control monitoring and measures, as necessary, to prevent the potential for dust from the dredge piles becoming airborne.

With the added property access restrictions in place, EPA and the Corps believe that there is no public health danger posed by the dredged material in its current location on land. There also appears to be no health danger posed by material that may be present in the Creek since it lacks mobility, is under water and is not in direct contact with people.

Future Actions

Further testing of the material stockpiled on the site is ongoing and additional sampling of the Creek is being planned. EPA is at work determining the appropriate disposal of the radioactive contaminants dredged from the Creek.

For more information, call 212/264-1722 or 212/637-3675.