Contaminated Nation - Water Contamination, Land Pollution & Hazardous Waste locations

State Investigating Rash of Contaminated Wells

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 13:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

Environmental officials are seeking answers after discovering a potential carcinogen in 22 private wells at a Pennsylvania township, according to this story from the Norristown Times-Herald.

Representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently met with Limerick residents to discuss remediation measures and update the community on efforts to isolate the source of trichloroethylene (TCE) in local groundwater.

The DEP is paying to install charcoal filters in five homes where TCE levels exceed health standards. Estimated cost of installation and the first two years of maintenance for that undertaking is estimated at $44,000.

No action is being taken at the other 17 homes, so long as TCE levels remain below the government health standard of five parts per billion.

All told, the DEP has tested 150 wells in the area of West Ridge Pike since 2010, according to this article from the Limerick Patch.

While the DEP has yet to determine a source of the contamination, its representatives reported finding highly elevated levels of TCE at the former site of a defunct heating equipment company off West Ridge Pike. That sample came back 832 times higher than the safe water standard, but DEP officials said groundwater at that site flows away from most of the contaminated wells.

TCE is typically used as an industrial degreaser and can cause a variety of short- and long-term health problems, according to this EPA fact sheet. Improperly disposed of, it can migrate through soil and contaminate groundwater.

Limerick has a population of roughly 13,500 and is about 35 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

Neighbors Unhappy with Superfund Cleanup

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 13:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

A plan to corral contaminants at an old wood treatment plant has been approved by federal regulators, but the solution is unpopular with neighbors, according to this story from the Gainesville Sun.

The Koppers wood treatment plant operated from 1919 to 2009, but soil and groundwater contamination at the 90-acre site landed the Gainesville business on the federal Superfund cleanup list in 1984. The contaminants include the carcinogen dioxin, which has been found in soil at the site and neighboring properties.

According to the EPA, the contamination stemmed from waste handling practices at the wood plant.

Recently approved by a federal judge, the cleanup plan calls for excavating the contaminated soil from at least 66 neighboring properties and putting it into a sealed underground containment area at the old wood plant at the 200 block of Northwest 23rd Avenue.

Unhappy about the plan to consolidate the contaminants at the old wood plant, the community submitted roughly 80 pages of comments on the issue, suggesting everything from relocation of the neighbors to concerns the disposal site could eventually leak into a nearby aquifer.

Officials charged with reviewing the plan say there's "little risk" to the aquifer from the sealed disposal site, adding the containment measures will be sufficient to protect public health.

Gainesville is approximately 110 miles northwest of Orlando and has a population of roughly 125,000 people.

City Pushing for Quicker Oil Cleanup

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

Leaks from an old oil field are causing health concerns in California, and officials are hoping to spur quicker cleanup, according to this story from the Los Angeles Times.

The contamination—which includes the carcinogen benzene—was discovered in 2008 beneath Carson city's Carousel tract, which is now a residential area with 285 homes.

Cleanup is being handled jointly by state officials and the Shell Oil Company, and is not expected to get underway until next year.

The declaration of emergency was recently suggested by Carson's mayor, in an effort to spur more immediate action.

Shell has stated there is no immediate threat to public health. The company is currently doing vapor testing at area homes and is putting together a comprehensive cleanup plan.

Residents of the Carousel tract have been told to avoid exposed yard soils and to not eat home-grown fruits or vegetables.

According to a recent report from the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, the Carousel tract was a tank park used to store crude oil from 1920-1965. The study suggested that cracks and leaks in the concrete basins that contained the oil led to the contamination before the area was redeveloped in the late '60s.

The water control board study also found groundwater pollution in the area and crude oil in one local well, but no evidence of harmful vapors intruding into homes.

Carson is approximately 20 miles north of Los Angeles and has a population of roughly 91,000.

Study Links Contaminants to Gas Drilling

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 13:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

The West Virginia legislature has been advised to step up environmental monitoring at natural gas drilling sites, after a recent study linked a potential carcinogen to that process, according a public broadcasting report.

The study was conducted by Chairman of the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health at West Virginia University, Michael McCawley, who checked air quality at seven drilling sites over four months. The sites were evaluated at several stages of drilling, from set-up to fracking to when the gas pipelines were installed.

In some cases, McCawley discovered dust with heightened levels of benzene, which can cause anemia and has been linked to cancer. According to the EPA, benzene typically enters the atmosphere through exhaust emissions.

In one instance, the testing showed benzene levels of 85 parts per billion. National standards require workers to have respiratory protection at 100 parts per billion or more.

McCawley's study was conducted at the request of the state Department of Environmental Protection, as part of the state's Horizontal Well Control Act of 2011. The law required a study by July 1, 2013 to advise lawmakers on whether air pollution at drill sites should be regulated and monitored.

The recently released study advised that companies should provide monitoring for drill sites near houses, schools or hospitals.

McCawley said he's planning a follow-up study, with the goal of providing more information about the health impacts of gas drilling in the northern panhandle of West Virginia.

Pipe Leak Follow-up Discovers Problem Well

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 13:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

A testing program implemented after a gas pipeline spill has discovered a toxic chemical in public drinking water, according to this story in the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel.

The Village of Jackson, Wisconsin, shut down one of its five public wells in May, after the potential carcinogen benzene was discovered in the water.

The village plans to spend up to $20,000 this month to investigate the cause of the contamination.

The problem was discovered by a monthly testing program that was implemented after a West Shore fuel pipeline broke and spilled roughly 54,000 gallons of gasoline into a pasture off Western Avenue last summer.

According to a previous report, the spill was roughly two miles away from the contaminated Jackson Drive well, but officials say groundwater from the spill area flows in the opposite direction.

Fuel storage tanks closer to the well have been identified as another possible source.

According to the EPA, benzene is used extensively in the tire and shoe industries, and is often associated with fuels, plastic production and paint thinning.

Benzene spilled onto soil typically migrates into groundwater. Drinking water contaminated with high levels of benzene can cause immune system deficiencies, bone marrow problems, cancer and death.

Located roughly 30 miles northwest of Milwaukee, the Village of Jackson has a population of roughly 7,500 people.

N.M. County Approves Fracking Ban

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

Citing a desire to protect local water supplies, Mora, New Mexico, has become the first county in the United States to ban fracking, according to this story from the L.A. Times.

Energy companies use "fracking"—hydraulic fracturing—to extract hard-to-reach oil and gas deposits from the ground. The process involves using a pressurized cocktail of water, sand and chemicals to fracture underground rock. Federal law doesn't require companies to disclose what chemicals are used; they are considered trade secrets. This has spurred water quality concerns in communities across the country.

While fracking has proved lucrative to landowners who lease mining rights, a number of communities are looking to ban or slow the spread of fracking wells. Pittsburgh was the first, in 2010, and more than a dozen east coast cities have followed suit.

The Mora ordinance that bans fracking cites the county's authority to regulate commercial activity.

Fracking is not regulated in California, where several cities are considering bans or moratoriums.

Culver City, which includes part of the 1,000-acre Inglewood Oil Field, is considering a proposed six-year moratorium, while the long-term air and water impacts of fracking are studied.

The California Department of Conservation is also finalizing statewide regulations for fracking.

The Environmental Protection Agency's study of the impacts of fracking on drinking water sources is slated for release in 2014.

Fuel Leaks Prompt Store Chain Audit

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

A pair of fuel leaks has proved costly for a Maryland-based convenience store chain, according to this story in the Baltimore Sun.

Royal Farms, which owns 70 stores across the region, recently reached a settlement with environmental officials that includes a $600,000 penalty and a comprehensive audit of the company’s underground fuel tanks and piping.

The settlement came after the Maryland Department of the Environment made it clear they were pursuing enforcement actions over two leaks that impacted residential homes.

The first was discovered in 2009, after a Rosedale home reported a gasoline smell. An investigation determined 5,400 gallons of fuel had spilled from the underground Royal Farms tank nearby. Royal Farms paid $2.7 million to settle the family’s case, and is pursuing litigation against the firm it hired to oversee the underground tanks.

Gasoline contamination was also discovered in five residential wells in the town of North East in 2011. Royal Farms is currently remediating the groundwater, and carbon filters were provided for some wells.

In both cases, environmental officials said the company wasn’t properly using state mandated equipment that detects fuel leaks. Installing and maintaining that equipment was a condition of the settlement.

A Royal Farms spokesperson said the company was not contesting the state’s accusations, but added the settlement was not an admission of wrongdoing.

Mysterious Contaminant Shuts Down N.H. Wells

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

A New Hampshire town is seeking relief from a mysterious contaminant that has shut down local wells for more than a year, according to this story from the Eagle Tribune.

The Town of Atkinson is eying a $3 million plan to extend water service to a cluster of 34 homes that have been without drinking water since 2011.

The wells are contaminated with 1,4-Diozane, a probable carcinogen that can also cause liver and kidney damage. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 1,4-Diozane is a synthetic industrial chemical that can quickly migrate through soil and groundwater. The chemical is widely used for industrial processes, and can be found in paint strippers, dyes, greases, varnishes and waxes.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Sciences (DES) is still seeking the source of the contamination, which so far has been restricted to a residential area off Emery and Belknap drives.

The DES—which currently provides residents with bottled water—announced that it will contribute up to $2 million to run water lines to effected homes. Town officials are mulling options to cover additional costs.

Located roughly 40 miles south east of Concord, New Hampshire, Atkinson has a population of approximately 6,100.

City Waiting on Water-Supply Fix

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

Residents of a southern California city may have had drinking water contaminated by a nearby munitions complex, according to this story from the Los Angeles Times.

Multiple city wells have been shut down in the City of Rialto, which is importing drinking water until widespread groundwater contamination is fixed.

The wells are tainted primarily with perchlorate, a persistent contaminant that can cause thyroid problems, especially with pregnant women and children.

A 2012 study by the California Department of Public Health indicated that drinking water supplied to Rial residents may have contained elevated levels of perchlorate from 1979 to 1997. The perchlorate has been traced back to production of ammunition, rocket fuel and fireworks at an industrial complex.

The Environmental Protection Agency recently reached binding agreements with several companies that will foot the bill for cleanup. The full scope of the problem is still being determined, but current estimates have the cleanup costing at least $140 million and taking 30 years or more.

According to the EPA website, perchlorate sometimes occurs naturally and is highly soluble in water. Human exposure is typically through contaminated drinking water, and large doses of perchlorate can cause irritation, coughing, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Rialto is located approximately 50 miles east of Los Angeles.

Toxic Vapors a Problem at Wisconsin Apartment Complex

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

An affordable housing facility at an old Wisconsin factory is coping with toxic fumes from the building’s industrial past, according to this story from the Appleton Post Crescent newspaper.

An underground ventilation system is the latest step to alleviate recently discovered trichloroethylene (TCE) fumes at the Wire Works Apartments in Appleton. Located beneath the building foundation, the system draws toxic fumes out of contaminated soil at the site and uses fans to discharge the fumes above the building’s roof.

A spokesperson from the Department of Natural Resources said the ventilation is to protect residents in the building’s 16 apartments from short-term exposure. Over 3,000 tons of contaminated soil has already been removed from the site, with more cleanup expected to come.

TCE is an industrial solvent that’s often used for degreasing, but it can also cause a variety of short- and long-term health problems.

Located at 601 E. Hancock Street, the Wire Works building was a factory from 1896-1987, and TCE was used to clean paper mill wires produced at the site.

The building was converted to affordable apartments by the Housing Partnership of the Fox Cities in 2005.

Appleton is located roughly 100 miles northwest of Milwaukee and has a population of approximately 73,000.

Mold a Tricky Problem for Condominium Owners

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

A mold outbreak is causing legal and financial headaches for residents of a Palm Strings condominium complex, according to this story from the Desert Sun.

The problem was discovered more than a year ago by retired school teacher Rita Siegel, who found a water leak from a neighboring condo had seeped through a shared wall and into her closet.

Siegel blames the damp conditions for causing a mold outbreak in her unit, and she moved out of the Riviera Gardens complex shortly after. Living in hotels while waiting for the problem to be fixed, she’s also been locked in a lengthy dispute with the homeowner’s association, its insurance company and the bank that owned the neighboring condo unit—the condo unit with the leak was vacant following a foreclosure.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explained that mold in shared walls is a complicated issue that’s outside their jurisdiction. Since no state agency has direct authority over mold, those disputes are typically settled through the legal system.

Los Angeles attorney Robb Strom is not representing Siegel, but he averages at least 10 mold lawsuits per year. He said homeowner’s associations are often involved in such cases and can be found liable. He added most cases settle out of court.

The homeowner’s association claims they were responsive to the issue when it was reported, and that Siegel was uncooperative. The association claims the mold problem at the unit has been fixed, but Siegel retained an environmental consultant who says otherwise.

Siegel told the Desert Sun she’s hired a lawyer, but was uncertain if she’d file a lawsuit.

According to the EPA, mold outbreaks can occur almost anywhere there’s moisture and oxygen. Health impacts vary according to age, allergy sensitivity and level of exposure. Common symptoms include headaches, breathing difficulty, allergic reactions or aggravated asthma. Mold spores can also be toxic in some circumstances.

Lack of TCE Warning Has Residents Steamed

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

A recently discovered cluster of contaminated wells has residents of Wake Forest, North Carolina asking why they weren’t warned about the problem in 2005, according to this NBC news story.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) testing over the past year has discovered the carcinogen trichloroethylene (TCE) in 21 wells across a 500-acre area around Stony Hill Road in the town of Wake Forest.

While the EPA has installed water filters to alleviate the problem, several residents were outraged to learn that the state discovered TCE contamination in a neighborhood well in 2005, but never alerted them.

The contamination is thought to date back 10 years, when TCE was used to clean circuit boards in a neighborhood shed.

The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which made the initial discovery, compiled an internal report saying the extent of the contamination was unclear and that other wells in the area should be tested.

A DENR spokesperson said the problem appeared to be confined to the single residential well, adding the agency has finite resources and higher-risk sites that took priority.

Last summer, the DENR advised area residents to get their water tested, and sought assistance from the EPA, which tested roughly 100 wells.

TCE is an industrial solvent that’s often used for degreasing. Improperly disposed of, it can create harmful vapors and migrate through groundwater.

Located roughly 18 miles northeast of Raleigh, Wake Forest has a population of roughly 31,000 people.

Report Highlights Impacts of Urban Air Pollution

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

A recent Sierra Club report indicates that disadvantaged communities in Michigan face greater health risks due to pollution, according to this story in the Detroit Free Press.

Impacted by activity from automobile plants, steel mills and other industry, Detroit and nearby River Rouge and Ecorse, are among the most polluted Midwest cities.

The report cites a University of Michigan study suggesting that 81.5 percent of Detroit’s African American students attend schools in high air pollution areas, compared to 62.1 percent for Hispanics and 44 percent for whites.

Compared to the rest of the state, adults from Detroit are 50 percent more likely to have asthma, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health.

Included within the report is Detroit Renewable Power, a solid waste incinerating operation and the state’s fourth largest producer of nitrous oxide emissions. Ninety-four percent of its neighbors are African American, with an annual median household income $7,308 lower than the city average.

The Great Lakes Works steel facility in Ecorse was listed as another major producer of emissions. The city has a poverty rate of over 30 percent.

Sierra Club representatives asked that regulators adopt stricter environmental standards to protect those communities.

Founded in 1892, the Sierra Club is a grassroots environmental organization with 1.3 million members nationwide.

Contaminated Wells Could Spark New Rules

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

Officials from Somers, Connecticut are considering mandatory testing for private wells, after recent samples discovered uranium and arsenic in local drinking water, according to this story from the Journal Inquirer.

The issue came to light when officials tested more than 50 local wells. Town sanitarian Steven Jacobs didn’t give a specific number, but said high levels of contaminants were found in a small percentage of samples.

Arsenic and uranium are thought to have leeched into the water from bedrock, resulting in isolated pockets of contamination.

According the EPA, high levels of uranium can lead to increased cancer risk and/or liver damage. Arsenic—a naturally occurring, odorless and tasteless semi-metal—is linked to increased risk for a variety of cancers.

Two-thirds of the roughly 10,000 residents in Somers are on private wells. Jacobs said the town doesn’t regulate those drinking supplies, but that could change. The town’s Water Pollution and Control Authority recently collaborated with state health and environmental officials to draft an ordinance that would require testing of private wells.

Jacobs said the ordinance is still under development. In the meantime he advised residents with private wells to voluntarily do the testing.

Somers is located roughly 20 miles northeast of Hartford.

Power Plant Facing Legal Action for Contamination

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

A North Carolina power plant accused of leaking waterborne pollutants is facing legal action from environmental officials, according to this story from the Citizens-Times newspaper.

A recently filed lawsuit from the N.C. Division of Water Quality alleges that the Progress Energy plant in Asheville is leaking toxic chemicals into groundwater and the nearby French Broad River.

Officials termed the contamination a threat to public health and water resources, and asked the courts to require the company to assess the cause and extent of the problem within 120 days. The suit also requests additional testing for groundwater and private wells nearby.

The state compelled the utility to install monitoring wells at the site in 2009, and the complaint cites test results from monitoring wells, along with two incidents where inspectors discovered contaminants migrating from coal ash ponds to the nearby river.

Specific contaminants included thallium, a toxic metal often associated with coal burning operations. According to the EPA, effects can include nerve damage, gastrointestinal irrational, damage to the kidney, liver, testicular tissue and hair loss.

Duke Energy, which owns the plant, issued a statement saying it has complied with its environmental permits.

Located roughly 120 miles west and north of Charlotte, Asheville is a city of roughly 83,000.

Highway Garage Linked to New York Water Problems

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 13:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

The State of New York is considering several fixes for contaminated wells near a highway maintenance garage in the town of East Fishkill, according to this story from the Poughkeepsie Journal.

The problem of unsafe levels of sodium and chloride in groundwater near the garage was discovered in 1995, and the state has funded bottled water and testing for some of the garage neighbors since then.

The State Department of Transportation (DOT) has released a draft proposal that outlined several possible fixes, including installing new wells for seven of the neighbors, relocating the garage's salt storage facility, or installing a reserve-osmosis system to treat the water. Adding new well fields was another possibility.

DOT representatives held a special meeting to outline those measures for the residents and get feedback.

Road salt has been a concern for environmental officials in recent years due to its impact on aquatic life and drinking water. A report from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services cautions that chloride is toxic to aquatic life and impacts vegetation—adding it’s completely soluble, very mobile and there’s no natural process that removes it from the environment.

That same report says sodium can be a problematic drinking water contaminant for people on low-sodium diets.

East Fishkill is a town of roughly 29,000 people, approximately 70 miles north of New York City.

Contamination Study May Extend Veteran Benefits

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 13:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan lamb

A recent study has shed new light on long-standing water contamination issues at a North Carolina military base—and that could help veterans claiming adverse health impacts from their time at that post.

The study indicates that drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune had elevated levels of carcinogens for more than 60 years, according to this story from the Kansas City Star.

At peak levels, the contaminants were 150 times higher than safety standards—and the report estimated up to one million service personnel and their families may have been exposed while at the base.

A special law enacted in 2012 provides screening and health care for those at the base from 1957 to when the contaminated wells were closed in 1987—but the study suggests the problem could date back far as 1948.

Federal lawmakers are calling for additional hearings on the issue and a bill has been filed to extend coverage back to 1953, which is thought to be when the contamination first exceeded health standards, according to this story from the Washington Post.

The contaminants include trichloroethylene (TCE), an industrial degreaser that can cause a variety of short- and long-term health impacts. The other contaminants were from dry-cleaning and fuel, according to the Marine Corps, which as recently as last year claimed there was insufficient evidence to link health problems to the drinking water.

Retired Marine Master Sergeant Jerry Ensminger has long alleged the connection between the camp water and health impacts. He was stationed at Lejeune and lost his 9-year-old daughter to a rare leukemia in 1985. Ensminger credited advocates like himself for bringing the issue to light.

Massachusetts Town Revisiting Lake Village Contamination

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 13:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

Lost Lake is the centerpiece of a tight-knit community in Groton, Massachusetts, but that arrangement is thought to have created long-term water quality issues for that nature resource.

At issue are high levels of phosphorus and fecal coliform bacteria in the lake that have raised concerns about protecting water quality in the neighborhood, which relies on private wells.

The problem was outlined in a 2012 environmental notification form filed with the state by a Selectmen-appointed advisory committee. Compiled by environmental consultants, the report noted that wastewater disposal has been an issue at the neighborhood for at least 40 years due to “antiquated on-site wastewater disposal systems” with “high failure rates”.

A sewer system would alleviate the problem, but that $12.9 million proposal was rejected by town meeting voters in January, according to this story from the Lowell Sun newspaper.

Aside from cost, the primary objection at the town meeting was a perceived lack of information about where the contamination was coming from. The Board of Selectmen responded to the vote by appointing a new group to revisit the issue and provide more information for residents.

Meeting again on March 6, the reconfigured group’s discussion focused on gathering baseline data—compiling an inventory of neighborhood wells and speaking with experts involved with the last process. The group also discussed options for determining the contamination’s source; speakers at the town meeting listed nearby streams as possible culprits.

Lost Lake was originally a seasonal cottage community that has since evolved into a full-time residential community. In addition to poor soils, the area is dominated by small lots—with more than half the lots one-quarter of an acre or smaller.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plants, but in high levels it can spur a population explosion of weeks and threaten natural resources. Fecal bacteria is generally associated with human or animal feces, and can carry a variety of disease-causing bacteria and viruses.

Old Chemicals Spark New Groundwater Concerns

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

A discontinued solvent has contaminated groundwater at an airplane factory in Washington state—and that has nearby residents concerned about possible health impacts, according to this story from the Auburn Reporter.

The problem stems from the Boeing-Auburn plant, which is near the Algona city line. Recently released tests show a plume of contaminated groundwater that begins at the factory and migrates off-site.

A spokesperson for the state departments of Ecology and Health said the size of the plume is still being determined and that cleanup won't begin until after that determination is made.

The contaminant is trichloroethylene (TCE), a potential carcinogen that was used to clean engine parts from the 1960s-‘80s.

Environmental officials say there is no danger to the Algona water supply, emphasizing that the plume is moving away from the city wells and there are impermeable barriers between groundwater from the city’s aquifer.

However, some residents were unhappy it took so long to unearth the contamination. The state and Boeing began testing in spring of 2011, telling the mayors of Auburn and Algona they’d have results to disseminate by March of 2012. The test results showing TCE contamination were first reported by a radio station in early 2013.

Speaking to the Auburn Reporter, Department of Ecology spokesperson Larry Altose apologized, saying the state should have gotten the information to the communities sooner.

Testing is also underway to determine if the groundwater contamination is causing toxic vapors for the factory’s neighbors. Testing at a nearby YMCA and other buildings have come back clean so far.

Located approximately 30 miles south of Seattle, Algona is a city of roughly 3,000 people.

Study suggests link between lead and violent crime

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:50:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

Once a staple of gasoline and paint, lead has long been recognized as a toxic contaminant, and a new study is suggesting it could have a direct relation to violent crime trends over the past 60 years.

Compiled by lead expert Dr. Howard Mielke of Tulane University, the study was featured in a recent news report by WWLTV of New Orleans.

Lead emissions from automobiles were central to the study, which evaluated more than 10,000 soil samples from around the city of New Orleans.

The study showed that areas with higher levels of lead exposure were typically the higher crime areas, adding it's likely a significant factor behind criminal tendencies.

Mielke said the problem is that automobiles brought literally tons of lead into American cities over the latter half of the 20th century. He calculated that each gallon of leaded gas released one gram of lead into the environment and, since lead is a persistent contaminant, it generally stays in place until removed.

Lead fumes rising out of contaminated soil are particularly dangerous for children, because it can impede brain development and impulse control. The study suggested a 20-year time lag between increased emissions and rising crime rates.

Lead was first used as a gasoline additive in the 1950s and was banned in 1996.

Published in August of 2012, Dr. Mielke's study tracked emissions and violence in six major cities from 1950 to 1985.

According to the study abstract, fluctuation of lead emissions appeared to explain 90 percent of the aggravated assault variations. All else being equal, the study had each 1 percent increase in emissions tonnage consistently resulting in a .46 percent increase in the aggravated assault rate a generation later.

The study also suggested increased prevention of childhood lead exposure could result in lower crime rates in the future.

In the meantime, Mielke suggested that lead contamination should be more of a national issue, noting there’s a Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, but no Clean Soil Act.

Water officials accused of hiding contamination in New Jersey

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

Two New Jersey water officials are facing criminal charges, accused of hiding drinking supply contaminants from regulators, according to this story from the Times of Trenton newspaper.

The officials allegedly shut down contaminated wells before testing to conceal elevated levels of the dry cleaning solvent tetrachlorethyene,a potential carcinogen that causes a variety of short- and long-term health problems.

East Orange Water Commission executive director Harry Mansmann was indicted on Feb. 13 on multiple counts of violating the state’s Safe Drinking Water Act and Pollution Control Act, along with charges of conspiracy, official misconduct, unlawful release of a toxic pollutant and tampering with public information. Also facing those charges is commission assistant executive director William Mowell.

An indictment released by the state attorney general alleges the officials shut down the contaminated wells before testing, once in 2010 and twice in 2011.

While those tests indicated customers were receiving acceptable drinking water, independent sampling found elevated levels of tetrachlorethyene, which is also known as perchloroethylene or perc. Often used for dry cleaning or metal degreasing, perc is a persistent solvent—improperly disposed of, it often migrates through soil and into groundwater.

The attorney general confirmed that concentrations of perc that exceed state and federal drinking standards were found in “several” wells throughout the system that supplies water for the northeastern New Jersey cities of East Orange and South Orange.

The incident was referred to authorities by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which is now monitoring water provided by the system.

Old Gas Leak Sparks Water Ban in Wisconsin

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

Contaminants from an old gas leak have left residents of a Wisconsin apartment complex without drinking water for more than three months, according to this article from the Kenosha News.

Roughly 25 residents of the Lincoln Crest Apartments at Twin Lakes have been getting by on bottled water since high levels of a gasoline additive were discovered at the complex’s well by the state's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in late October.

The testing revealed methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), a fuel octane heightening compound that’s considered a potential carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The contamination was traced back to leaky tanks at a neighboring gas station, which were removed in the early ‘90s. Contaminated soil was found up to 10 feet underground and excavated from the site, and shallow wells nearby were re-drilled because of the problem.

While leakage has stopped the gas station, the groundwater remains an issue. Contamination was discovered at two neighboring sites with deeper wells over the past five years. A DNR official says that it’s unclear how the contamination reached that deeper aquifer, but added that MBTE moves quickly though soil and can spread rapidly through groundwater.

A new and deeper well is being drilled for the Lincoln Crest Apartments, using funds from a state gas inspection tax.

Twin Lakes is a village of roughly 6,000 people, approximately 50 miles southwest of Milwaukee.

Old Chicago factory leaves persistent lead legacy

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

An old industrial site in Chicago is being targeted for cleanup by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), after soil testing found dangerously high levels of lead contamination, according to this story from the USA Today.

Now a vacant lot in the city’s Pilsen neighborhood, the site was home to a lead factory in the 1940s.

The EPA vowed to pursue cleanup after recent tests revealed contamination across much of the property. In some cases, topsoil contained lead concentrations 57 times higher than EPA health advisory levels.

The old factory site is in a residential area and abuts a pedestrian path and city sidewalk. A community garden and elementary school are also nearby.

The dangers of lead exposure were raised in a 2006 report, where environmental officials cited initial test results and noted the site was a popular shortcut for pedestrians.

According to the EPA website, lead exposure can cause a variety of health problems,primarily in children and the elderly. Common impacts include slow growth and development in children, pregnancy complications and increased blood pressure in adults.

The EPA plans to test neighboring parcels, but did not offer specifics on the scope of that investigation.

It is unknown when the site cleanup will begin. The EPA had to secure a court order to test at the old factory site, and it’s unclear if another court order will be required to begin cleanup.

Dredging Blamed for Groundwater Woes in Maryland

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

A dumping site formerly used to maintain a key canal between Baltimore and Philadelphia has contaminated drinking water in a Maryland community, according to this report in the Cecil Daily Whig.

A recently published U.S. Geological Survey concluded there’s “overwhelming evidence” the old Pearce Creek dredging disposal site in Earleville contaminated groundwater at the property and neighboring parcels.

The disposal site closed in 1992, but the study found concentrations of beryllium, arsenic, cadmium and thallium that exceed health advisories from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Also mentioned were high levels of sulfate, iron, chloride and low pH in the groundwater. The disposal site operated for 55 years, closing after neighbors on private wells complained about poor water quality.

The two-year study evaluated 35 wells at the disposal site and another 15 in the nearby West View Shores community. The majority of contaminants were found at the disposal site, but two residential wells contained high levels of beryllium, which can cause internal lesions.

The disposal site was operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A Corps spokesperson acknowledged the dredging was a “contributing factor” on the water quality, adding that the outcome was unexpected and previous water studies were inconclusive.

The Corps has been advocating reactivation of the disposal site as a cost-effective tool in maintaining the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, which saves roughly 300 miles of sea jaunts between Baltimore to Philadelphia.

The Corps is proposing new containment measures at the Pearce Creek disposal site and has offered to drill new wells for the impacted neighbors. That proposal has already come under fire from at least some neighbors, who say that doesn’t address existing contaminants.

Earlville is off the northern end of the Chesapeake Bay, roughly 70 miles east of Baltimore.

Industrial Site Contaminates Groundwater in New York

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 19:00:00 +0000

By: Nathan Lamb

Environmental officials are moving forward with plans to remediate a former industrial site that has contaminated groundwater in Endwell, a hamlet of approximately 11,000 people , roughly 80 miles south of Syracuse, New York.

At issue is a former IBM chemical burning pit, which is thought to have created a plume of underground contaminants that have migrated toward a nearby residential zone, according to this article in the Press & Sun Bulletin.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) found trichloroethylene and other industrial solvents in the plume, which is roughly 50 feet underground and just under 600 feet long.

Trichloroethylene is a volatile organic chemical that’s been linked to liver problems and increased cancer risk. Used to remove grease from metals and in some textile production, it typically enters groundwater through industrial site discharge, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Recent DEC testing indicates the plume hasn’t reached the drinking supply for the neighboring residential area—but also found that contaminants have migrated into bedrock beneath the plume, creating a potential chemical vapor hazard if the IBM site is converted to residential use in the future.

The DEC recently finalized a remediation plan for the site, which includes removing groundwater contaminants. The cleanup is slated to get underway this spring, but a discernable impact on contamination levels at the site will not be seen for 10 years.

The 57-acre IBM site was previously home to an electronics testing laboratory, which was also used to dispose of waste chemicals.

Cleanup measures for the site have been in the works since 2006.