Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) are compiled based on questions received by Erie residents, interested parties, and other groups familiar with the East Avenue Study Area. Not all questions submitted to EPA appear in these FAQs; rather, the most frequently asked questions appear, along with questions that EPA considers directly relevant and important to an overall understanding of what is happening at the East Avenue Study Area.
EPA will continue to update the list of questions periodically as new FAQs are received and updated by EPA’s site team and posted on the East Avenue Study Area webpage.
General Questions
- What is the geographic definition of the East Avenue Study Area?
- Is EPA focusing on only potential contamination from the former Erie Coke facility?
- Why is EPA beginning a site investigation in 2024 when the Erie Coke facility existed for many decades in the past?
- Could contaminants from the former coke facility leach into the groundwater from the soil?
Site Assessment Process Questions
- What is the difference between EPA’s Removal Action at the site from 2020 to 2022 and the current Study Area?
- What is a Site Investigation?
- What is the key question EPA tries to answer through a Site Investigation?
- Why hasn’t the Erie Coke facility been identified as a Superfund Site?
- What is the difference between the investigation being conducted by PADEP at the Erie Coke facility and EPA’s Study Area?
Sampling-Related Questions
- How does EPA develop a sampling plan for a site?
- What questions are EPA trying to answer during the first round of sampling?
- How do you know you are not missing some areas that might be contaminated?
- What kinds of contamination is EPA looking for when sampling in the Study Area?
- What does it mean when EPA finds contamination that “exceeds screening levels”?
- How is EPA collecting soil samples in the Study Area?
- Why is EPA not collecting samples from Lake Erie?
- How are EPA’s sampling results verified for accuracy?
- If EPA finds contamination associated with the Erie Coke site that exceeds screening levels, will EPA clean up that contamination?
- What was the sampling methodology, or criteria used, to select the residential properties to be sampled?
- Is the list of residential properties sampled available for public review?
- How do I know if my property was sampled by EPA?
- If I am a tenant and not the owner of the property, can I have my property sampled and will I have to provide access?
- Does EPA have plans to sample groundwater?
- Is the former Hammermill paper mill a part of the EPA site investigation?
Health-Related Questions
- Why is it difficult to establish a link between cancers and other illnesses to environmental exposures?
- How do we know our drinking water has not been affected during Erie Coke’s operation?
- Can Erie residents be exposed to contamination if we grow and eat vegetables from residential gardens?
- Is it safe for children to play outside in residential yards?
- Will EPA do any testing or risk evaluations related to pets?
- Was the community surrounding Erie Coke affected by historic site operations?
- What are the health risks for people who have lived in this area for many years?
Communications and Public Relations Questions
- How can residents communicate with EPA about activities happening in the East Avenue Study Area?
- Where can residents get the most accurate and up-to-date information on the East Avenue Study Area?
- If I want to talk with EPA about sampling on my property or ask specific questions, who should I contact?
- What is the status of the criminal indictment against Erie Coke and how can we get more information about that?