EPA selected the site’s final remedies in 2000 and 2003, recommending complete removal of radium-contaminated soil from five of the areas where future residential use is likely and removal to 10 feet below ground surface at one area where future recreational and commercial/industrial use is planned.
| City | Ottawa |
|---|---|
| County | La Salle County |
| State | Illinois |
| Coordinates | 41.35167, -88.83611 |
Ottawa Radiation Areas is a federal Superfund site in Illinois. The Superfund program, created by Congress in 1980, addresses sites where hazardous substances have been released or threaten release into the environment. EPA scores potential sites using the Hazard Ranking System; those that score high enough are placed on the National Priorities List.
Current status: Cleanup underway. Active cleanup is underway, meaning EPA has approved a remediation plan and work is in progress. Cleanup timelines vary widely — some sites take decades depending on contamination depth, groundwater involvement, and funding availability.
Contaminants of concern include radium-226, radon. Contamination has been detected in soil, other, groundwater, sediment, surface water.
If you live near this site and have health concerns, your state health department can provide site-specific guidance. EPA maintains a community involvement program for most NPL sites, and site documents — including the Record of Decision, five-year reviews, and public health assessments — are typically available through EPA's Superfund site profile.