Cancer-Causing Chemical Found Near Cotter Mill

CANON CITY, Colo. (AP) - Cotter Corp. plans to initiate testing next month to determine the how much of a cancer-causing chemical is in the groundwater near its Canon City uranium mill.

The Denver Post reports that Cotter employees found TCE in water samples taken in October and reported the finding to state regulators last week. The chemical was used in solvents at the plant in the 1980s and was found in concentrations up to 360 times the federal health limit in four wells north of the mill.

Between 1958 and 1978, liquid waste laced with radioactive material and heavy metals was sent to 11 unlined ponds. The site was placed on a Superfund cleanup list after well tests showed contamination.

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