The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has outlined expedited efforts to investigate and address contamination at Lower Neponset River Superfund Site in Massachusetts after it met with local officials and residents to discuss progress.  

Sampling will soon take place from the confluence of the Mother Brook and the Neponset River to the T&H dam in an attempt to prevent the migration and uncontrolled release of highly contaminated PCB sediment. 

Meanwhile, evaluation goes on at Riverside Square and clean-up work is being mobilized for the Lewis Chemical site. The EPA has signed off on a $3.9 million short-term cleanup action at Lewis Chemical that will take approximately seven months.

The relevant area extends for 3.7 miles, according to an EPA news release.

"We are making good on our promise to this historically overlooked community that EPA will do what's needed to protect people's health and restore a cleaner, safer environment for the community to enjoy” said EPA New England regional administrator David Cash. 

Excavation and disposal of contaminated soil will get rid of the direct contact threat to humans and remove the source contamination of PCBs and other hazardous substances, according to the EPA. 

During the upcoming cleanup work, the EPA said air monitoring and dust control will protect public health. A traffic management plan also will be developed to deal with the many trucks used for both disposal of contaminated materials and the off-loading of clean soil.

The EPA’s work is being singled out for putting a priority on environmental justice. U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) commended the agency’s steps to transform the river, improve ecological health and reduce the risk of health hazards for surrounding communities in the area. 

City of Boston officials, such as Sheila Dillon, chief of housing, expressed gratitude for the EPA’s partnership and assistance in ensuring the health and vitality of the community.