The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced an initiative to address the issue of toxins in the Greenpoint/East Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, particularly those affecting the Meeker Avenue Plume Superfund Site. The agency's primary concern is that buildings in this area are at risk of exposure to chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs), which can vaporize into soil and infiltrate structures.

"The most immediate threat to people is that the contamination can seep into buildings where people can breathe it in, so EPA is testing under foundation slabs to determine if there is a problem," stated Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "I encourage people to comment on this proposed plan, which will help EPA take action to reduce and address the potential risk to people in the area."

According to an EPA news release, the Meeker Avenue Plume Superfund spans over 190 acres, encompassing several city blocks in Brooklyn. The site contains not only CVOCs but also trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE), both known carcinogens. This area was formerly home to petroleum refining and storage operations near Newtown Creek's banks. The toxins were identified when groundwater and soil outside of the historic petroleum spill area were examined.

The EPA news release further reports that soil samples taken from 18 residential structures, 11 public housing buildings, and one public school in December 2023 revealed that only three residential structures would require further examination. However, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation detected CVOC vapors at approximately a dozen sites and installed specialized systems for toxin management. If ongoing sampling continues to detect CVOC presence, the EPA stands ready to install additional systems.

Sub-slab depressurization systems installed by the EPA would help seal gaps and cracks according to the news release. The agency estimates that this sampling process will span five years.