[CPEO-BIF] "Testing finds hazardous TCE under some College Terrace homes, " Palo Alto, California

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Testing finds hazardous TCE under some College Terrace homes
State regulatory agency previously dismissed trichloroethylene risk

by Sue Dremann
Palo Alto Online (CA)
June 27, 2016

A cancer-causing chemical found at Stanford's University Terrace housing development, which officials claim has not spread to the adjacent neighborhood, has been found in some College Terrace homes, according to a report submitted by several residents.

A professional hired by residents tested under 19 homes within about 100 to 200 feet of the site's border at 1601 California Ave. The consultant, Blayne Hartman, an expert in soil-vapor sampling, analysis and intrusion, found levels of trichlorethylene (TCE) at six homes that exceeded the allowable levels mandated by state and federal Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. The data was analyzed by Ed Schmitt, a retired chemist and College Terrace resident, and the residents submitted a 32-page report to the Palo Alto City Attorney and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).

Stanford discovered the TCE and another hazardous chemical, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), after contractors demolished buildings at 1601 California Ave. in late 2015. The university, which is building 180 junior faculty residences at the site, submitted a revised subdivision map to the city that will relocate 29 residences and reconfigure some streets to avoid placing the homes on the most contaminated areas. On Tuesday, June 28, Stanford will ask the Palo Alto City Council to approve the map amendment.

…

For the entire article, see
http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2016/06/27/testing-finds-hazardous-tce-under-some-college-terrace-homes

--

Lenny Siegel
Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org

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