Fact Sheet 2 July 2010

Markham Illegal Dumping 
Markham, Illinois
Cook County

Message to area residents: please do not let children play at this site. Physical hazards as well as the potential for disease-carrying mosquitoes present a danger to trespassers.

Recent inspections by the Illinois EPA revealed discarded mobile homes, automobile parts, boats, tires, drums, & totes of unknown liquids/solids, other containers with residue of construction materials, unidentified gas cylinders, unknown liquid & solid spills on the ground, swimming pool chemicals, and various construction/demolition debris.

Mosquito species identified at the site are capable of carrying a type of encephalitis, which affects children as well as adults, and the West Nile Virus, which primarily affects older citizens.

What cleanup actions have occurred at the subject property?

The Illinois EPA is in the process of completing removal of tires and other debris. 503 truckloads (9,000 tons) of various solid waste materials dumped at the property were hauled away to be properly disposed at a landfill. In addition, 98 truckloads of tires (equivalent to 26,130 passenger tires) were removed from the property for beneficial reuse and recycling. To date, the total cost of the removal action by the state is more than $600,000.

What chemical contaminants still exist at the dump site?

Illinois EPA soil sampling results revealed heavy metals at levels greater than background. Additionally, one of four samples revealed elevated levels of cancer-causing chemicals from the family of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are commonly found in products made from fossil fuels, such as coal-tar pitch and asphalt, and can be release into the air during incomplete burning of fossil fuels and garbage. Site trespassers may be exposed to these chemicals by inhaling airborne dusts or otherwise contacting contamination at the property.

Laboratory analyses from samples collected by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) in May, 2010 indicated the presence of metals, including lead. Totes of oil were tested and the contents are not flammable. Samples of insulating material were tested for asbestos and the results were negative. Several bags and drums of swimming pool chemicals revealed chlorine, ammonia, and high pH levels, which can be corrosive. pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, numerically equal to 7 for neutral solutions, increasing with increasing alkalinity and decreasing with increasing acidity.

Standing water near the pool chemicals also contained ammonia and chlorine and higher-than-normal pH levels. It is expected that most of the surface contamination in the spilled chemicals area will be removed when U.S. EPA removes the chemical totes, other containers and visible residue in the fall of 2010.

Were any site-related contaminants found in groundwater samples from private wells?

No. Laboratory results from the private well tests in April, 2010 revealed groundwater contamination from naturally-occurring metals and minerals only, which do not appear to be site-related.

The wells tested are not in the direction of groundwater flow from the site, which is to the south. Mainly industrial businesses are located in this direction, and they are served by a community water supply.

Illinois EPA is interested in locating the private wells closest to the site. If you have a well within a few blocks of the site and have not previously informed the Illinois EPA, please contact the Illinois EPA. 

What are the next steps to make the site safer?

The Illinois Office of the Attorney General (IOAG) signed an Agreed Interim Order with the City of Markham on June 22, 2010. Pursuant to the order, the City is to provide 24-hour police surveillance of the site so that no more waste will be deposited there. The City of Markham will maintain barriers to restrict access and has provided signs at locations around the perimeter of the site to deter individuals from entering the site.

The Illinois EPA purchased a mosquito treatment product and arranged for the South Cook County Mosquito Abatement District to apply it to reduce the number of mosquito larvae. The treatment, which was conducted on May 18, 2010 will be effective for three to four months.

Will the contamination be cleaned up?

The Illinois EPA has removed most of the debris and tires at this point. U.S. EPA intends to conduct a removal of all suspect chemical containers and spilled chemicals at the site. That work is expected to begin in the fall of 2010.

Additionally, per the Agreed Interim Order, the City of Markham will discuss further clean-up activities for the dump site with the State.

What steps are being taken to make sure dumping does not resume at this location?

Vigilance by local government and private citizens is the best way to insure that more illegal dumping does not occur at this location. Citizens should report illegal dumping to local government and the Illinois EPA. 

The Agreed Interim Order requires that the City of Markham install and maintain video cameras at the property to catch fly dumpers in action. Live feed will be monitored by the police department 24 hours a day. The City of Markham is also required to continue to restrict access to the site to deter additional dumping and to maintain barriers and warning signs around the subject property.

The Illinois EPA intends to pursue legal action against any viable party involved in this matter. If any citizen has information about who is responsible for illegal dumping activities at this site, please contact the Illinois EPA.

Photos of the site are available on the Illinois EPA Flikr photostream.

Contact

For more information, please contact the Illinois EPA Office of Community Relations. Additional documents not available on this webpage may be obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request or through IEPA Document Explorer.