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EPA and DEP Announce Sampling Results from Asbestos Soil Samples in Easthampton

Release Date: 06/22/2000
Contact Information: Peyton Fleming, EPA Press Office (617-918-1008) Alan Weinberg, DEP Springfield Office (413-755-2220)

BOSTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection today announced the results from a dozen soil samples collected last month at the former W.R. Grace Zonolite facility in Easthampton.

The sampling effort is part of an EPA-DEP investigation of possible asbestos contamination resulting from the processing of vermiculite ore - an asbestos-containing mineral from Libby, Mont. used in making insulation and other products - at the Easthampton facility which operated from 1964 to 1984.

A total of 12 soil samples were collected by DEP from around the property, with most of them being collected from areas identified by former workers where waste materials from the plant may have been dumped.

Of those 12 samples, three showed non-detectable levels of asbestos, four contained less than one percent asbestos and five had one percent levels of asbestos or greater. The three samples with the highest asbestos readings - 6.4 percent, 8.1 percent and 9.8 percent - were all collected from the northeast area of the plant property where fill materials may have been discarded over the years.

Three of the soil samples were collected from a former railroad line located southeast of the plant. One of those samples had a 2.2 percent asbestos reading; the other two samples were below one percent.

As a point of reference, EPA considers soil samples with one percent or less asbestos to be an acceptable level.

"These sampling results indicate that additional and more extensive sampling needs to be done to better understand the extent of the contamination on and off the property and what cleanup activities may be necessary," said Mindy S. Lubber, regional administrator of EPA's New England Office. "Although these sampling results are a concern, we do not believe that the property poses an imminent health threat to the public. We will continue moving our investigation forward quickly to better understand the extent of the problem and possible implications for the public."

"Our mission is protecting public health and the environment. This mission is served best when partnerships with the federal and state governments, and with local communities are formed," added DEP Commissioner Lauren A. Liss. "A fine example is the cooperation of local concerned citizens who came forth and worked with DEP and EPA to generate the information we've announced today. We will continue to keep the public involved and informed."

DEP and EPA will be holding a public meeting in early July in Easthampton to discuss the new sampling results and plans for additional sampling later this summer, possibly as early as late July. DEP's sampling plan will be developed in consultation with EPA and the City of Easthampton.