EPA Superfund Site

ANACONDA CO. SMELTER

MT | EPA ID MTD093291656

About this site’s exposure pathways: As of September 2025, the Anaconda Co. Smelter Superfund site is considered Current Human Exposure Not Under Control (HENC). Residential soils and attic dust within Operable Unit 16 - Community Soils currently expose residents to arsenic and lead. These exposure pathways are considered unacceptable based on EPA risk-based criteria (arsenic exceeding 250 ppm and lead exceeding 400 ppm).
To date, remedial action activities to address this pathway are underway but not yet completed. If you are potentially impacted by risks inherent at this site, the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Superfund Program can help you by describing ways to reduce risk. EPA currently anticipates that human exposure will be under control by December 2047 when the attic dust removal remedial action is expected to be completed. EPA, in response to community concerns has recently sampled the interiors of schools and conducted a study evaluating the risk of eating local fruits and vegetables. Additionally, slag at the site was monitored to determine if there are any impacts to the community. Free blood lead testing is available at the Community Hospital of Anaconda, paid for by the Potentially Responsible Party (PRP).
Anaconda-Deer Lodge County has received funding from the PRP to implement an Institutional Control program that includes a community protective measures program that provides information to the public on ways to reduce risk; a development permit system to reduce exposure to residual contamination from development and⁄or excavation activities; a Soil Swap Program which provides replacement soil for vegetable gardens and sand for existing designated play areas for residents within the site; an Interior Dust Program, which provides high-efficiency particulate air filter vacuums to homeowners and provides renovation kits which help contain the work area to prevent the spread of residual dust during and after renovation, remodeling, and demolition projects; and a Domestic Well Plan Coordination Program which provides for the sampling and treatment of domestic wells within the site.