Abstract |
The Palmerton Zinc site is located in Carbon County, Pennsylvania. The New Jersey Zinc Company currently operates two zinc smeltors in Palmerton at the base of Blue Mountain. These two smeltors are referred to as the east and west plants. Since 1898, the New Jersey Zinc facility has produced zinc and other metals for machinery, pharmaceuticals, pigments and many other products. Primary smelting of concentrated zinc sulfide ores which was terminated in December 1980, is the main source of pollution. Prior to December 1980, the smeltors emitted huge quantities of zinc, lead, cadmium and sulfer dioxide which led to the defoliation of approximately 2,000 acres on Blue Mountain, adjacent to the east smeltor. Vegetation damage first appeared on a 1951 aerial photograph as isolated patches on the steep, north-facing slope of Blue Mountain located immediately south of the east plant. By 1985, vegetation damage progressed over a continuous widespread area leaving barren, eroded land visible. The primary contaminants of concern leading to the defoliation of Blue Mountain include: zinc, lead, cadmium and sulfur dioxide. |