APNewsBreak: Lead found at SC asphalt plant site

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina health and environmental officials have found elevated levels of arsenic and lead at a Columbia asphalt plant site.

Department of Health and Environmental Control director Catherine Templeton told The Associated Press on Tuesday that inspectors made the discovery last week at property operated by SEACO Inc.

The site near Columbia’s Rosewood neighborhood was once home to a fertilizer plant before SEACO opened in 1949. Templeton says state officials have contacted the Environmental Protection Agency for help in determining how best to clean up the area and will be notifying nearby residents soon.

Officials at SEACO did not immediately return a message Tuesday. An attorney for people who live in the area has asked for a community meeting with DHEC to talk about their concerns.

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Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP