The DePue Residue Site in DePue, Illinois, became a focal point of environmental attention in 1981 due to contamination from a zinc smelting facility that ceased operations in the early 1980s. The site was polluted with hazardous substances, notably heavy metals like cadmium and lead, which posed significant risks to wildlife and human health in nearby communities. Remediation efforts were undertaken to manage the pollution and restore environmental safety, emphasizing the importance of clean-up activities to mitigate ecological damage.