Environmental groups use a fair to teach people about EPA Superfund process

People took advantage of a clear day to enjoy a fair at Benedict Park in Pueblo, but it wasn’t just all fun and games.

The Pueblo City-County Health Department hosted the Eilers and Bessemer Neighborhood Summer Safety and Fun Fair Saturday.

While kids were out playing and enjoying the food, most of the adults were asking the Pueblo City-County Health Department and the Environmental Protection Agency questions about the Superfund site in the Eilers area.

The EPA made the it a Superfund site because high traces of lead and arsenic were found from an old smelter.

“I wanted to know how they were going about their testing, how long it was going to take get our results,” Nancy Kochis said. She lives in the Eilers area.

The EPA showed people the process on how it is going to inspect soil outside people’s homes to check if there are any smelter-related contaminants.

The health department said it is going to inspect the inside of the homes for the same thing.

“It’s an educational component. It’s getting people comfortable that we are here to address an issue; we are here to make sure the environment they are living in is free of contaminants,” EPA Community Involvement Coordinator Chris Wardell said.

The EPA declared the Eilers area a Superfund site in December.