Selenium Contamination

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Story Published: Feb 25, 2008 at 10:26 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 7, 2008 at 1:19 PM MDT

By Hasti Taghi

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Selenium is a chemical element that is toxic in large amounts. An unknown amount can be found in the historic Simplot Conda-mine site just north-east of Soda Springs.
Today an agreement was signed to investigate contamination at the old mining location.
"phosphate mine sites have issues with selenium surrounding them so the effort here is to find out what site-specific issues are at conduct and to find remedies to fix them." Rick Phillips-Simplot Spokesman

The company along with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, the U.S.. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Bureau of Land Management are cooperating in the investigation.
"finding where it's located and seeing if you can cut-ff the pathways is the best way to sum it up." Doug Tanner-DEQ

The agreement binds Simplot to pay for the expense of finding the amount of selenium and the funds it may take to fix it. Although selenium can cause poisoning and is also an environmental concern for wildlife...those involved say there should not be a serious concern for the public.
"there is a concern that the public needs to be aware of. Is there an imminent threat that somebody is going to come up with selenium poisoning out there? No!" Tanner
"the publican can be assured that any selenium problems out there will be resolved and cleaned up and fixed."Phillips

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