By Nick Buglione
Ron Lupski, who lives on Front Street just south of the dry cleaners that's contaminated the surrounding soil and ground water with hazardous solvents, had a purifier installed in his basement this spring after contaminants were detected in the air last year.
Though the purifier significantly lowered levels of the harmful tetrachloroethylene, a chemical commonly used in dry cleaning, state Department of Health officials told Lupski they hoped the readings would be lower. The latest test found 75 micrograms per cubic meter of the chemical in his basement's air, but health officials wanted it to be below 10 micrograms, Lupski said.
Still, by department standards, the amount of chemicals in Lupski's home are far too low to be considered to threaten human health. The homeowner, however, is skeptical.
What are the long-term effects? You just don't know, said Lupski, who lives with his two elderly parents. I have concerns for my parents and my own health.
Considering that concentrations of the tetrachloroethylene in his house were far higher earlier this year, Lupski worries just how long he's been exposed to high levels of the chemical.
It's obviously been in the house for a number of years, he said, adding that officials told him it might take two to three years before his house is contaminant free. I'm not happy.
There are myriad health risks associated with tetrachloroethylene, the extent of which are determined by the level and length of exposure, according to the state Department of Health. It's been known to cause central nervous system, kidney and liver damage, as well as cancer.
Lupski had thought about selling his home, but those plans have been indefinitely put on hold. He doubts he would be able to find a buyer given the current situation.
State Department of Health spokeswoman Claire Pospicil declined to discuss the details of tests conducted in private homes, citing department policy.
Dan Capalbo, 20-year owner of a home on Sixth and Front streets, which was also found to be contaminated, had an air purifier installed about a month ago. He said health officials have yet to return to test its effectiveness.
We're still going through the process, Capalbo said. I think they're doing what they can, but they still don't know where they're at.
An October 1999 environmental assessment of Melody Cleaners, at 2050 Hempstead Turnpike, revealed that it had contaminated the soil and ground water with tetrachloroethylene and its breakdown product trichloroethylene.
It was determined in March 2000 that the chemicals had gotten into the soil through the cleaners' on-site cesspools, before the store's connection to the municipal sewer system in 1982.
About 500 tons of tainted soil from three of the site's cesspools were removed in 2000, cutting off the source of contamination.
Trace levels of the chemicals had been found in nearby Town of Hempstead water wells, though far below the standards that would require water treatment. Town officials continue to closely monitor the water supply.
Aside from the two homes, two stores near Melody Cleaners, Dunkin Donuts and a vacant TV repair shop, were also found to have levels of tetrachloroethylene in the air above health department guidelines.
Impact Environmental, the company contracted to investigate and clean up the chemical plume emanating from the dry cleaners, is still working to determine the scope of the contamination. The state Department of Environmental Conservation is supervising the probe. The company Lowden Properties has volunteered to foot the bill.
Most recently, workers were seen taking samples near Melody Cleaners and around Front Street. By early August, the investigation will branch out, said Bill Fonda, DEC spokesman.
They need to find out more information to characterize the plume and any impacts it might have, Fonda said.
So far, it's known the plume is moving south from the site and has gotten as far as Lincoln Avenue, near McVey Elementary School. Tests previously conducted in McVey found the air was safe.
By early next year, an investigation report will be completed containing a cleanup plan. At that time, we would send out another fact sheet to the community and potentially could hold another public meeting, Fonda said.
