EPA Superfund Site

CARSON RIVER MERCURY SITE

NV | EPA ID NVD980813646

About this site’s exposure pathways: As of December 2024, the Carson River Mercury Site 'is considered 'Current Human Exposure Not Under Control'' (HENC) for two reasons. First, individuals are known to catch, consume, and sell (for consumption) fish from the area. Second, individuals may be exposed to mercury-contaminated surface or subsurface soil. This exposure pathway is considered unacceptable based on EPA risk-based criteria because ingestion of mercury-contaminated fish as well as exposure to mercury in soil can cause harm to children under 6 years of age that recreate at the site and may cause harm to adults that consume fish, including permanent damage to the nervous system and serious disabilities.

Currently, the planned activities to address this pathway include, at heavily used access locations to these water bodies, EPA, NDEP and NV Parks have posted health advisory signs to warn the public that fish should not be consumed. EPA released a fish advisory risk communication strategy with TASC assistance, including close coordination with the State. The EPA and NDEP are working with local jurisdictions, residents, and commercial parties to implement the Long-Term Sampling and Response Plan to address these concerns. If you are impacted by risks inherent at this site, please contact the Community Involvement Coordinator (Laura Hall at [email protected] or 415-308-3747). EPA currently anticipates that human exposure will be under control by 1/1/2040 because the site is large and complex.

In addition, EPA is currently finalizing an interim Record of Decision to include land use controls, compliance and monitoring to help prevent mercury exposure and keep contamination from spreading in the floodplain areas.