Classrooms at Massachusetts School Remain Closed as Air-quality Tests Continue

By Christy Burns

Published on January 29, 2007

Capuano Early Childhood Center is located just 350 feet from an abandoned warehouse once used to store a variety of chemicals. In 2003, a prospective buyer of the unused property discovered hazardous chemicals in the building and alerted state officials. Groundwater monitoring wells were installed in 2004. In 2005, the state’s Department of Environmental Protection began conducting indoor air testing in homes around the property.

PCE and trichloroethylene (TCE), as well as other volatile compounds, have been detected at the vacant warehouse, and in the residential and commercial neighborhood surrounding it. PCE and TCE exposure can cause serious damage to the central nervous system, liver, kidneys, and heart.

The elementary school’s superintendent says he is keeping the rooms closed off until officials from the Department of Environmental Protection have corrected the problem completely.

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