EPA removes contaminated soil from New Mexico homesites

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Friday the completion of its efforts to remove tons of contaminated soil from eight residential properties on the Grants Mining District Superfund site near San Mateo, New Mexico.

The houses are in an area of the Grants Mining Belt – a top uranium producer from the 1950s to the late 1990s – known as the Crossroads, which hosted uranium mines and two uranium mills in the past. As part of cleanup, the EPA had 6,900 cubic yards of contaminated soil removed and replaced on the properties.

Due to gamma radiation, large amounts of backfill were removed along with 4 to 6 inches of topsoil. Additionally, the EPA installed radon abatement systems at two of the homes where the agency found elevated radon levels.

“It is important that we address contamination that is too close to homes,” EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry said. “At EPA, we are working with our partners to make a visible difference in communities and provide everyone an environment where they can thrive.”