Cattle Dipping Vats
From the 1910's through the 1950's, these vats were filled with an arsenic
solution for the control and eradication of the cattle fever tick. Other pesticides such
as DDT where also widely used. By State law, all cattle, horses, mules, goats, and other
susceptible animals were required to be dipped every 14 days. Under certain circumstances,
the arsenic and other pesticides remaining at the site may present an environmental or
public health hazard.
Some of the sites have been located and are currently under
investigation. However, most of the listings are from old records of the
State Livestock Board, which listed each vat as it was put into
operation. In addition, some privately operated vats may have existed
which were not listed by the Livestock Board. Some county boundaries may
have changed since the vats were first listed. For additional
information, or to locate existing cattle dip vats, please contact the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Waste Cleanup,
at (850) 245-8927.
Persons who can identify the exact locations of these vats are encouraged
to contact the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Waste
Cleanup at the number above, or e-mail
zoe.kulakowski@dep.state.fl.us,
or write to us at:
FDEP
Cattle Dipping Vats
MS 4535
2600 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400
For
more information, send e-mail to
Zoe
Kulakowski or contact us at the address above.
