Collection ID: TD196.P65 P65
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Monroe County Public Library (Monroe County, Ind.). Indiana Room and Indiana University, Bloomington. Libraries. Government Publications Department
Abstract:
The collection consists of documents pertaining to the Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) issues in Bloomington, Indiana and Monroe County.
Extent:
116 linear feet (116 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English
Preferred citation:

[Item], Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) documents, Government Information, Maps and Microform Services, Indiana University, Bloomington Libraries.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

Since about 1958, the Westinghouse Electric Corporation routinely poured toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) into the Bloomington, Indiana sewer system and disposed of defective, PCB-filled capacitors at eight locations: Lemon Lane Landfill, Neal's Landfill, Neal's Dump, Bennett's Quarry, the Winston Thomas Sewage Treatment Plant, the Anderson Road Landfill, Fell Iron and Metal (a salvage yard), and the Westinghouse property. The first four locations are on the EPA's National Priorities List, a list of contaminated sites commonly referred to as Superfund sites.

Scope and Content:

The collection contains various kinds of documents relating to PCB contamination in and around Bloomington, Indiana. Documents range from informational handouts, newsletters, and clippings to reports and drafts of reports to original test data. Among the issuing agencies are federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), state agencies such as the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), city and county agencies, private companies such as Westinghouse, third party contractors, news outlets, and activist organizations such as Citizens Opposed to PCB Ash in Monroe County (COPA). Materials date from the 1970s to the 2000s. Unfortunately, the collection was processed according to when it was received by the Wells and the Monroe County Public Libraries and therefore follows no particular organizing principle regarding content or date.

Acquisition information:
Documents provided to library by related agencies.
Processing information:

Processed by Staff and Volunteers from the Indiana Room at Monroe County Public Library and by Lou Malcomb in Government Information, Maps, and Microform Services in the Herman B Wells Library, Indiana University, Bloomington. Most processing was completed in 2013.

Sarah Alexander of GIMMS continues to process new acquisitions into the present.

Arrangement:

Collection was not intentionally arranged. Materials were processed as they were received.

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

Collection is open for research. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact Government Information, Maps, and Microform Services at libgimms@indiana.edu for more information on access. We may be able to provide digital copies of specified documents.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

Materials may not leave the library.

PREFERRED CITATION:

[Item], Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) documents, Government Information, Maps and Microform Services, Indiana University, Bloomington Libraries.

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
1320 East Tenth Street
Herman B Wells Library 250B
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7000, United States
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
CONTACT:
812-855-6924
libgimms@indiana.edu