[미국] Portage사 화학물질 유출로 미시건 호수 인근 해변 폐쇄
미 환경보호국(EPA, US Environmental Protection Agency)의 비상 대응 요원은 지난 4월 11일 포티지(Portage)사 폐수처리시설에서 미시간 호수에서 약 100야드 떨어진 번스 수로(Burns Waterway)에 6가크롬을 방출했다는 U.S. Steel's 보고서에 따라 집중적인 물 샘플 채취 노력이 2일째 계속됐다.
U.S. Steel's은 EPA에서 원천봉쇄했다고 보고했다. EPA는 그러나 포티지(Portage)사에서 6가크롬을 유출했는지는 알려지지 않았다.
포티지(Portage)사의 6가크롬 유출로 인해 오그 덴 언덕(Ogden Dunes)과 인근 지역의 여러 해변에서 인디아나 아메리칸 워터(Indiana American Water)의 물 취수가 중단됐다.
4월 11일 EPA 샘플링에서는 미시건 호수에서 6가크롬이 검출되지는 않았다. Ogden Dunes의 인디애나 아메리칸 워터는 예비 물 공급원으로 전환했다.
[원문보기]
Chemical spill from U.S. Steel's Portage, Ind., facility causes beach closures along Lake Michigan
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emergency responders continued a second day of intensive water sampling efforts following U.S. Steel's report yesterday that its Portage, Ind., facility had released hexavalent chromium to Burns Waterway, about 100 yards from Lake Michigan. U.S. Steel has reported to EPA that its release has been stopped at the source. It's not known how much has been spilled.
The spill forced the closure of Indiana American Water's intake in Ogden Dunes and several beaches in the area.
EPA sampling today and yesterday has not detected hexavalent chromium from the spill in Lake Michigan. Yesterday, in an abundance of caution, Indiana American Water in Ogden Dunes -- the nearest municipal water source -- shut down its water intake and switched to a reserve water supply.
According to of Northwest Indiana, Ogden Dunes officials said the town's drinking water is currently coming from Indiana American's plant in Gary. The intake, beaches and riverwalk remain closed today.
Today, EPA continues to conduct sampling at the outfall, water intake, beaches and Burns Ditch.
The U.S. Steel facility in Portage reported a wastewater discharge Tuesday morning to the Burns Waterway, and EPA determined the wastewater contained hexavalent chromium, a toxic byproduct of industrial processes.
According to a release from U.S. Steel, the company notified the appropriate agencies, which includes EPA, U.S. Coast Guard, IDEM, National Park Service, Indiana Department of Fish and Wildlife and Indiana American Water.
"We will continue to work cooperatively with these agencies and other appropriate agencies until this situation is corrected," the U.S Steel release stated.
Outfall results reported by EPA this morning still show detectable hexavalent chromium in the waterway. Overnight, levels at the outfall were as high as 2,231 ug/L. Water intake results initially showed hexavalent chromium levels slightly above the detection limit. A confirmation run on that same sample showed that it was at or below the detection limit, well below EPA's health-based standard for drinking water.
EPA and the National Park Service have identified additional locations for water and sediment sampling along the lakeshore (east and west of Burns Ditch).
[출처 = Water World(www.waterworld.com) / 2017년 4월 12일]