Massachusetts deems school safe after chemical detected

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has found no imminent health risk posed by low to moderate levels of a chemical found in a portion of Arlington High School in Arlington.

August 23, 2011, Boston Globe -- (Massachusetts) State deems Arlington High School safe after chemical detected. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has found no imminent health risk posed by low to moderate levels of a chemical found in a portion of Arlington High School in Arlington, the week of August 15 in Massachusetts.

The state agency found low levels of Perchloroethylene (PCE) in soil near the school earlier this month, and low to moderate levels of the chemical in the air of some basement areas. The chemical is used for dry-cleaning fabrics and metal degreasing operations and if it is spilled on the ground, it can potentially dissolve in underlying groundwater, according to Arlington’s Department of Health and Human Services.

But a report issued August 22 by DEP officials said that while some areas of the school are being impacted by PCE infiltration, “all currently-used rooms within the school complex are below stringent state cleanup standards."

The state report said the school is safe for students and staff. But Arlington officials said in a press release August 23 they will work with the state to conduct additional monitoring, and to implement strategies to further reduce infiltration of PCE. Testing for PCE began as part of an effort by DEP officials to investigate whether historic dry cleaning operations in the Massachusetts Avenue area of Arlington had polluted groundwater.

Link: http://articles.boston.com/2011-08-23/yourtown/29919185_1_pce-chemical-dep-officials

Source: DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 25 August 2011