Greta Jimenez
Palmerton, PA, is a town in the Lehigh Valley of Eastern Pennsylvania that was once heavily polluted due to zinc smelting plants and mining activities. The pollution from these industrial operations destroyed vegetation and contaminated the surrounding environment, leading to it becoming an EPA Superfund clean-up site. The town has been undergoing restoration efforts, including revegetation and water treatment, with the aim of revitalizing the local ecosystem and moving beyond its toxic history. Today, Palmerton still faces issues with air pollution, particularly from tiny particles called PM2.5, which can irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory system and aggravate heart and lung disease over time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of pollution | Air pollution and toxic history of denuded mountains and contaminated creeks |
| Dominant pollutant | PM2.5 |
| Sources of pollution | Zinc smelting plants, garment manufacturing plants |
| Effects of pollution | Irritation of eyes, nose, and respiratory system, aggravation of heart and lung disease, vegetation destruction |
| Elevation | 660 ft |
| AQI | 99 |
| Status of pollution | Moderate |
| Cleanup status | Added to Superfund National Priorities List in 1983, ongoing cleanup efforts since 1987 |
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Zinc smelting plants
The pollution in Palmerton, PA, is largely due to the presence of zinc smelting plants in the area. New Jersey Zinc opened two such plants in the town, which operated from 1898 until 1980, when the main plant was shut down due to a poor zinc market and new environmental regulations. The smaller plant still operates today in a reduced capacity, processing electric arc furnace dust into zinc calcine.
Zinc smelting is the process of extracting zinc from its ore, and it has been carried out in various ways since the 19th century. The process used in Palmerton involved roasting sulfide concentrates in fluidized-bed furnaces, burning them with air and direct oxygen. This produced zinc calcine, which is mainly zinc oxide with small amounts of iron, cadmium, and other metals. The calcine is then cooled, milled, and collected, while the roaster gases, containing sulfur dioxide, are cooled in a waste-heat boiler to generate steam and recover heat.
The specific geography of Palmerton, situated between two mountain ridges, and the lack of pollution control technology at the time, meant that pollution from the zinc smelters had a devastating impact on the surrounding environment. The vegetation on 3,000 acres of land was destroyed, including on the Kittatinny Ridge at Lehigh Gap. This led to the site becoming one of the largest EPA Superfund clean-up sites east of the Mississippi River, with innovative methods of planting native, zinc-tolerant grasses being used to restore the ecosystem.
Today, the most common processes for zinc electrowinning are the low-current density process and the Tainton high-current density process, which uses a higher concentration of sulfuric acid and runs at a higher temperature. These processes can produce zinc with better purity and higher production capacity, but they also come with their own challenges, such as increased corrosiveness.
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Air pollution
Palmerton, Pennsylvania, is a town with a history of toxic pollution. The primary source of this pollution was two zinc-smelting plants operated by New Jersey Zinc, which were the town's main employers from 1898 until 1980. The plants destroyed vegetation on 3,000 acres of land surrounding the town, including on the Kittatinny Ridge at Lehigh Gap. This led to the contamination of the Aquashicola Creek and Lehigh River watershed.
Due to the geography of the site—situated between two mountain ridges—and the lack of pollution control technology at the time, the pollution from the zinc smelters was particularly damaging. The town was added to the Superfund National Priorities List on September 8, 1983, and a cleanup of the area has been underway since 1987. This cleanup has included activities such as grading, revegetation, cleaning of residences, and water treatment.
The air quality in Palmerton today is still considered moderately polluted, with levels of PM2.5 that can irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory system. Long-term exposure to these particles can aggravate heart and lung disease.
To address the issue of air pollution, the Nature Center, in partnership with the EPA and Viacom International (now CBS Operations), established native, warm-season, zinc-tolerant prairie grasses on the Superfund site. These innovative methods have helped to restore the ecosystem and are contributing to the town's progress in moving beyond its toxic history.
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EPA Superfund clean-up
The town of Palmerton, Pennsylvania, is the site of one of the largest EPA Superfund clean-up operations east of the Mississippi River. The contamination of the area is due to the operation of two zinc smelting plants by New Jersey Zinc, which were the primary employers in the town. The plants operated from 1898 until 1980, when the main plant was shut down due to a poor zinc market and new environmental regulations.
The geography of the site, between two mountain ridges, and the lack of pollution control technology, meant that pollution from the zinc smelters destroyed vegetation on 3,000 acres surrounding the town, particularly on the Kittatinny Ridge at Lehigh Gap. This led to the site being designated as one of the nation's first Superfund sites in 1983, requiring a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-mandated clean-up.
The EPA has divided the site into four separate clean-up operations known as operable units (OUs). Blue Mountain (OU-1) required the revegetation of over 3,000 acres of land destroyed by air and soil contamination. This revegetation process has been ongoing, with Horsehead Industries revegetating approximately 800 acres in the 1990s, and further approvals for revegetation given in 2006 and 2011.
The EPA has also worked with Viacom (now CBS Operations) to develop plans for soil sampling and cleanup. This began in 2002, with approximately 800 properties sampled, and further phases of sampling and cleanup continuing through to 2005.
The Nature Center, in partnership with the EPA and CBS, has also been able to establish native, zinc-tolerant, prairie grasses on the Superfund site. These methods have been used across the Palmerton Superfund area, with the land becoming green again for the first time in 50 years.
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Health risks
The town of Palmerton, PA, has a history of pollution caused by zinc smelting plants that operated from 1898 until 1980. The pollution from these plants destroyed vegetation on 3,000 acres surrounding the town, with a particular impact on Stony Ridge and Blue Mountain/Kittatinny Ridge. This led to the site being added to the Superfund National Priorities List in 1983, with cleanup efforts overseen by the EPA beginning in 1987.
The health risks associated with the pollution in Palmerton are primarily related to the inhalation of tiny particles called PM2.5, which can irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory system. Long-term exposure to these particles can aggravate heart and lung disease. The air quality in Palmerton is currently considered moderately polluted, and it is recommended that individuals with respiratory issues reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion to avoid the health risks associated with PM2.5 pollution.
The impact of the pollution on the local ecosystem has also been significant. In addition to the destruction of vegetation, there was a notable absence of mammals in the affected areas. The contamination of the Aquashicola Creek and Lehigh River watershed resulted in over $20 million in damages, and restoration efforts have focused on revegetation, cleaning of residences, and water treatment.
The restoration of the Palmerton Superfund site has been a collaborative effort involving various organizations and individuals. Innovative methods of planting have been used to establish native, zinc-tolerant prairie grasses, and research is now underway to study the progression of ecological succession. The cleanup of the site has been ongoing for many years, and it is encouraging to see that nature is beginning to reclaim the affected areas, with new habitats forming and endangered species finding refuge.
It is important to recognize that the health risks associated with pollution can vary depending on individual factors such as age, pre-existing health conditions, and the duration and frequency of exposure. While the current air quality in Palmerton may pose a risk to those with respiratory issues, it is crucial for all individuals to be mindful of their exposure to pollutants and take appropriate precautions, such as using air quality trackers or monitors, to minimize potential health risks.
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Revegetation
Palmerton, Pennsylvania, is a small town in the Lehigh Valley of eastern Pennsylvania that was once a centre for zinc mining and smelting. The New Jersey Zinc Company deposited 33 million tons of slag at the site, creating a cinder bank that extended for 2.5 miles. The smelting operations emitted large amounts of heavy metals, including zinc, into the valley. This air pollution destroyed vegetation on 3,000 acres of land, especially on the adjacent Blue Mountain, leaving a barren mountainside.
The Palmerton site was added to the Superfund National Priorities List on September 8, 1983, and has been the target of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated clean-up since 1987. The EPA is overseeing the cleanup of the Palmerton Zinc Pile Site, which is being carried out by the potentially responsible party (PRP), CBS Corporation. The site is divided into four separate cleanups known as operable units (OUs).
- Aerial application of lime fertilizer and seed: In March 2011, aerial seeding was conducted on approximately 1500 acres of Pennsylvania Game Commission and National Park Service land. This was repeated on an additional 128 acres in March 2012.
- Resource islands: In 2013, the PRP installed over 70 acres of resource islands, which are fenced-enclosed areas where tree seeds and seedlings are planted and intensively maintained. Over 13,000 trees of various varieties, including hybrid American Chestnut, were planted in these resource islands.
- Diversion of surface water: The PRP built a system to divert surface water around the Cinder Bank and treat contaminated leachate before it is discharged into the nearby Aquashicola Creek.
- Cleanup of residential soils: The EPA worked with Viacom to develop plans to access properties and conduct soil sampling to determine if cleanup is necessary. The first phase of sampling began in Fall 2002, with approximately 13% of the properties sampled having lead levels above EPA standards.
- Native, zinc-tolerant grasses: Using innovative methods of planting, the Lehigh Gap Nature Center, in partnership with the EPA and CBS, established native, warm-season, zinc-tolerant prairie grasses on the Superfund site. These grasses have allowed the site to become green again for the first time in 50 years.
Research is now underway to study the progression of ecological succession and the re-establishment of a fully functioning ecosystem at the site. The restoration process is expensive, and ongoing support for the Nature Center is crucial for the continued success of the revegetation efforts.
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Frequently asked questions
The dominant pollutant in Palmerton, PA, is PM2.5, which is made up of tiny particles that irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory system.
Long-term exposure to PM2.5 pollution can aggravate heart and lung disease. It is recommended that individuals with respiratory issues reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion in areas with high levels of PM2.5 pollution.
The pollution in Palmerton, PA, is largely attributed to the presence of zinc smelting plants that operated in the town from 1898 to 1980. The lack of pollution control technology at the time led to the destruction of vegetation on thousands of acres surrounding the town.
Palmerton has been the site of one of the largest EPA Superfund clean-up sites east of the Mississippi River. The clean-up efforts, overseen by U.S. EPA Region 3, have included grading, revegetation, cleaning of residences, surface water cleanup, and water treatment. Innovative methods of planting zinc-tolerant prairie grasses have also been implemented to restore the ecosystem.
Yes, the restoration efforts in Palmerton, PA, have shown promising results. The town is moving beyond its toxic history, and areas like Blue Mountain are now home to a lush 750-acre nature preserve. The Lehigh River, once contaminated, is now popular with rafters, and the local population of the endangered American Kestrel has benefited from the new habitat.
