By Associated Press
Lincoln, AL – Some residents living near the site of a now-closed brass foundry in Lincoln are upset after learning that state environmental officials knew three years ago that hazardous debris was on the site but didn't warn them about potential health threats.
Arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, zinc and high levels of lead were found in soil samples collected in 2003.
ADEM spokesman Jerome Hand defended the agency's decision not to sound the alarm. He said the data was not complete.
Lincoln Mayor Lew Watson said he and other city officials were unaware the abandoned foundry was contaminated with lead until a federal E-P-A official asked permission to test soil at a park next to the foundry site.
The official said cleanup of the site is expected to begin before the end of September and should only take two or three months, if no problems arise.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)