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POMPTON LAKES - Tests conducted on 262 houses in plume area
(by Leslie Scott - Staff Writer - September 24, 2008)
POMPTON LAKES - To address contamination left over from the DuPont factory, indoor and outdoor air-sampling program continues among homes in the plume area.
More than 20 years ago it was discovered that DuPont, which operated an explosives plant in the borough since the early 1900s, contaminated the ground water.
Air sample tests that were taken in the spring revealed that this contaminated groundwater is also emitting toxic vapors into the homes above the plume.
DuPont is testing homes to find out if the chemicals, Tetrachloroethene (PCE), commonly found in dry cleaning solutions, and Tricholorethene (TCE), which is often in scented candles, are circulating through the air.
Since this time, the company has been making arrangements with every homeowner in the affected area to test the air and install a system that would remove these vapors from the home on a voluntary basis.
“The majority of the homes that we have been testing the results show that neither PCE or TCE has been detected in the air samples,” said Robert Nelson, DuPont public affairs manager. “In the samples where the compound was detected, the average concentration was an average of 4.3 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) for PCE and 2.7 ug/m3 for TCE.”
As of Sept. 8, Nelson said, “DuPont has scheduled and/or collected indoor air samples, and begun and/or completed mitigation system designs in a total of 376 homes.”
Of all the homes that have been contacted air tests have been completed on 262 homes, DuPont talked with 142 owners about installing a mitigation system and 36 drawings have been completed, 17 of which, were approved by the residents.
“We have received permit approvals for six of the applications and are scheduled to install four systems during the week of Sept. 15,” said Nelson.
Lawrence Hajna, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) spokesperson, said a map detailing trends in the area has not been completed.
Lakeside Avenue resident Annette Scardigno said neither substance was detected in her daughter’s home on Grant Avenue.
“My daughter, Stacey Griffin, and her neighbor both came back negative, which was good,” said Scardigno.
Levels for PCE and TCE both came in at 4 ug/m3 for Jefferson Avenue resident Timothy Decker.
Decker said that the information mailed to him was not clear.
“I have to call them up because there is really no ledger saying what 4 means and what 3 means. They just have numbers down here. I have to call them and we have to decide if we are going to get the evacuation system or not,” said Decker.
At this time Decker said he was not sure what would prompt him to get the mitigation system installed.
“We have a lot of friends that live in the plume. We are probably going to talk it over to see what they were going to do and find out what these numbers mean and how bad it is,” said Decker.
Nelson said the levels that were discovered in Pompton Lakes are similar to those that have been uncovered in other areas of the country where there is no vapor intrusion.
“Background levels could be the result of chemicals that are contained in your dry cleaning or daily household items, where PCE and TCE is in. So if you are using candles on a regular basis or are storing cans or paints, you are going to have natural background levels whether you have vapor intrusion or not,” said Nelson.
Hajna said normal screening levels for TCE and PCE are both 1 ug/m3 so anything above that requires additional testing.
“Their averages fall in between and are closer to the screening level but I would not characterize them as background levels. There are other potential sources of TCE and PCE in everybody’s home. They are fairly common compounds but they are installing systems. We are saying that people should avail themselves of this opportunity,” said Hajna.
Nelson said the vapor testing process has been going well.
“We have been working closely with the NJDEP to make sure every action that we take is in accordance with the certified work plan,” he said.
“It’s a pretty lengthy and detailed process we are going through. We are very pleased with how things are going, we are getting a lot of feedback from homeowners who are very appreciative of our efforts and I’m sure there are other folks who are not as pleased,” Nelson also said.
PCE and TCE exposure facts
The Department of Human Services Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease registry states both PCE and TCE are potential carcinogens.
Bringing clothes home from the cleaners is the most common way to release small amounts of PCE into the home.
High concentrations of PCE can cause dizziness headaches, sleepiness, confusion, nausea and difficulty speaking and walking.
TCE is mainly used as a solvent to remove grease from metal parts, but it is also an ingredient in adhesives, paint removers, typewriter correction fluids and spot removers.
Breathing large amounts of TCE may cause impaired heart function and unconsciousness; breathing it in for long periods may cause nerve, kidney, and liver damage.
Tests to determine PCE and TCE exposure are available. These tests aren't available at most doctors' offices, but can be performed at special laboratories that have the right equipment.
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