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State to Conduct Contaminant Testing in Local Homes

If you live near the Meeker Avenue Plume, you can get your home tested for PCE and TCE (dry cleaning solvents) that may be evaporating into your home from the ground water. These solvents are a legacy of past industry in the area, as well as illegal dumping.

This is the second year of testing. According to the Newtown Creek Alliance:

During the winter of 2007/2008 DEC/DOH conducted indoor air sampling in East Williamsburg just south of the BQE and discovered hazardous vapors from the Meeker Ave. Plumes in the indoor air of almost every residence they tested. Of the hundreds of homes that are potentially impacted by hazardous TCE and PCE vapors from the Meeker Ave. Plumes, DEC regrettably tested only 12. Of the 12 homes tested: 10 require mitigation, 1 requires mitigation/monitoring, and 1 requires that residents "take reasonable and practical actions to identify source(s) and reduce exposure". Human exposures to TCE and PCE have been linked to the development of autoimmune diseases, birth defects, nervous system disorders, infertility, and cancer. Hundreds of Greenpoint and East Williamsburg residents and employees are potentially affected.

To apply for testing, contact:

Mr David Harrington
NYSDEC
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-7016
888-212-9586

or

Ms. Dawn Herrick
NYSDOH
547 River St
Troy, NY 12080
800-458-1158 ext 2780


For more information on the plume, visit the Newtown Creek Alliance, which has done great work in keeping this issue alive and pushing for action.