Site Plain EPA Superfund sites near you, in plain language

EPA Superfund Site

MATTHIESSEN AND HEGELER ZINC COMPANY

IL | EPA ID IL0000064782

Human exposure is NOT currently under control

About this site’s exposure pathways: As of August 2025, the Matthiessen and Hegeler Zinc Co. Site is considered “Current Human Exposure Not Under Control” because soil at many properties within the residential portion of the site contains concentrations of lead and other metals above the health-based levels. The site includes a large residential area (approximately 5,000 homes) surrounding the former facility. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Record of Decision in April 2017 which selected remedies for all areas of the site. Cleanup work within the residential area of the site began in the summer of 2019. Roughly 500 homes have been cleaned up thus far. Due to the extent of the cleanup to be done, it will take a number of years to be completed. Information has been mailed to residents informing them about safe gardening practices to minimize exposures to contaminated soil. EPA expects that the Human Exposure Control status will be Under Control by September 2037.

View EPA site profile

Data limitations: Proximity to a Superfund site boundary does not mean your property is contaminated. EPA site boundaries show the area designated for cleanup, not the full extent of contamination. Groundwater plumes can extend beyond site boundaries. This tool shows publicly available EPA federal data. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by EPA, and is not a substitute for a professional environmental assessment.

Was this information helpful?