Hoosiers Push for New Testing at Contaminated Site
Source: Douglas Rissing / Getty
INDIANAPOLIS (MIRRORINDY)— Patti Daviau has lived on South Harris Avenue for over 50 years and has watched the property across the street evolve from a lead smelter to an abandoned Superfund site.
MIrrorIndy first reported the story. The contamination, now on land called the Avanti Superfund Remedial Site, was once used for lead battery recycling and smelting. Although it was cleaned up in the 1990s, residents like Daviau still worry about possible contamination and call for more testing.
Once a hub for industrial pollution, the Avanti site was the focus of a major environmental cleanup after high lead levels were discovered in nearby homes. Despite the cleanup, soil tests conducted more than a decade later showed elevated lead levels, raising concerns that the site still poses a health risk.
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently raised cleanup standards for lead, but the Avanti site is not subject to the new rules since it was cleaned under older regulations.
Neighbors, including Daviau, are worried that the contamination may still affect the community, especially children, who are most vulnerable to lead exposure.
They’ve called for new soil testing, saying they deserve the same safety assurances as other parts of Indianapolis. Lead exposure can cause serious health issues, including damage to the brain, kidneys, and reproductive health.
The city of Indianapolis now owns the Avanti site, and while federal and local agencies no longer see it as a significant threat, residents like Daviau want further action.
Despite previous cleanups, they fear the lead contamination could still affect their neighborhood, and they’re pushing for renewed attention to ensure the area’s safety.
IU Indianapolis’ Center for Urban Health can test Indianapolis residents’ soil. To do this, you’ll need three clear Ziplock bags, a tool to collect soil, a marker for labeling, and a small box or envelope for mailing.
Mirror Indy reporter Enrique Saenz covers west Indianapolis. Contact him at 317-983-4203.
