BEVERLY, Mass. (AP) - Environmental cleanup officials say a Massachusetts industrial site continues to show high levels of contamination despite an ongoing cleaning effort that has stretched nearly 30 years.
Tests at the former Varian Associates site in Beverly indicated elevated levels of potentially toxic chemicals in the groundwater at several locations, the Salem News reported.
David Land, a state-licensed groundwater consultant, said that the chemical levels at the site remain “very elevated” since he last checked the reports 20 years ago and suggested that a new cleanup plan be considered.
“They really have still got a big problem on their hands,” Lang said.
The chemicals found are trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene, both of which are considered as “likely to be carcinogenic to humans” by the Environmental Protection Agency. Varian, which made electronic components, used the chemicals as cleaning solvents. The problem was first detected in 1985, the newspaper reported, and cleanup began in 1992.
The Califonia-based Varian, who sold the site in 1995 and under state law is responsible for the cleanup, refused to comment.
Joe Ferson, spokesperson for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, said the agency will review data “to see whether updated testing in the downgradient neighborhood should be conducted.”
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