SOURCE:
https://patch.com/new-york/babylonvillage/contamination-cleanup-scheduled-west-babylon-gas-plant
By Maureen Mullarkey - September 17, 2021
An analysis of soil and groundwater in the former plant showed levels of hazardous toxins, a new report says.
WEST BABYLON, NY — Contamination cleanup is scheduled to begin this month at a former manufactured gas plant site in West Babylon.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation reported yesterday that K-Babylon, a now vacant site located at 29 Evergreen Street, was found to have concerning levels of contaminants benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene and xylene — also known as BTEX — which are commonly associated with coal tar.
A sampling and analysis of site groundwater and soil showed elevated concentrations of BTEX contaminants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs— a class of chemicals produced when coal, oil, and gas are burned.
Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, says that the toxins can dangerously impact one's health.
"These chemicals are known to be neurotoxins, which cause damage to the nervous system. They are also carcinogenic," she said. "They need to be taken very seriously."
K-Babylon, which was previously used for manufacturing, fuel oil distribution, and most recently boat storage, is located southwest of Long Island Railroad tracks, and near residential and multi-unit buildings.
According to a remedial work plan submitted to NYSDEC in March 2015, since the area is served by a public water supply, nearby residents should not be at risk. Also, since the site is completely fenced-off to public access, the plan says only people who enter the site may be at risk.
However, Esposito says that BTEX are volatile organic chemicals, or chemicals that can move underground in an aqueduct system and can come up through groundwater, migrate into buildings — and easily spread over time.
"This public statement gives to doesn't tell the whole story. In Long Island, our groundwater becomes our drinking water and eventually discharges out into the Great South Bay," said Esposito. "The longer we wait to clean it up, the bigger the site becomes."
Action steps included in the remediation plan center on the excavation of up to 350 cubic yards of contaminated soil and the importation of clean soil. The project is estimated to last approximately two months, and a site-specific health and safety plan, or HASP, and a community air monitoring plan, or CAMP, will be implemented during remediation activities to protect onsite workers and residents, the DEC said.
K-Babylon originally operated from 1911 to 1917, and was used for gas storage until 1951. Since then, the site has been used for commercial business. Fuel oil distribution also operated between 1980 and 2000.
K-Babylon is one of 13 MGP related-sites on Long Island managed by National Grid. NYSDEC estimates at least 260 former MGPs operated in the state between 1826 to 1972, providing energy to power homes and businesses by heating coal.
National Grid did not respond immediately to a request for comment.