All News Releases By Date

No Immediate Threat, EPA Tells Wingfield Pointe Residents

Release Date: 6/17/2005
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith (215) 814-5543

Contact: Bonnie Smith (215) 814-5543
WINGFIELD POINTE, Va. - The U.S. EPA, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ) have determined recent sampling results do not show an immediate health threat in the Wingfield Pointe subdivison, in Chesapeake, Va. The agencies made the announcement at a Wingfield Pointe Homeowners Association meeting Thursday, June 16.

EPA has conducted several rounds of environmental sampling in the area and has completed removal activities associated with the drums. In April, a multimedia sampling event, which included 112 soil samples, was conducted in the surrounding residential neighborhood in the Wingfield Pointe subdivision.

Soil, sediment and surface water sample results have been reviewed by EPA and ATSDR. The results indicate that there is not an immediate human health threat to adults or children, although some chemicals will require further evaluation. This will be arranged on an individual basis.

The site came to EPA’s attention in January when remnants of buried steel drums were uncovered during a swimming pool excavation at a residential property in the subdivision.

In May, EPA conducted methane gas monitoring at all the homes in the Wingfield Pointe subdivision that were available and did not find methane to be present in any of the homes, although elevated levels were found in yards. Methane gas is common in areas where organic material breaks down, such as landfills and dumps. EPA, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Chesapeake Fire Department are continuing to evaluate this situation.