Cleanup Costs For Lead-Contaminated Northwest Indiana Site Now 4 Times Original Estimate

Cleanup Costs For Lead-Contaminated Northwest Indiana Site Now 4 Times Original Estimate

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Cleanup costs for a lead-contaminated site in Northwest Indiana are now four times what the federal government originally estimated. In 2012, the U.S. EPA estimated the cost to clean up the so called USS lead superfund site in East Chicago at nearly $23 million. The new estimate is nearly $85 million. Maritza Lopez, who lives within the superfund site, says the higher amount may still not be enough. The cost, however, does not include clean up of the West Calumet housing complex, whose residents were evacuated last year due to lead contaminated soil. The EPA plans to meet with homeowners next month.