The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized its plan to address contamination at the Meeker Avenue Plume Superfund Site in Brooklyn, New York. The site spans over 190 acres across several city blocks in the Greenpoint and East Williamsburg areas.

Following an extensive public comment period, the EPA aims to mitigate the risk of harmful vapors seeping into buildings from groundwater and soil contaminated with chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs). "Under this cleanup plan, EPA will take decisive action to reduce vapors that can seep into buildings where people can breathe them in," said Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "We strongly encourage homeowners and renters in the area to reach out to us to remain informed about this ongoing cleanup."

The finalized cleanup plan is an interim action intended to reduce risks for those living or working in affected residential and non-residential properties. A separate plan is being developed by the EPA to address the sources of groundwater contamination.

As part of this plan, sub-slab depressurization systems will be installed underneath building foundations. Additionally, cracks and gaps in structures' lowest levels will be sealed to prevent vapor intrusion. Sub-slab depressurization involves connecting an electric fan to a small pit dug into a building’s slab, venting vapors outdoors above the roofline. The estimated costs cover mitigating up to 100 structures within the study area, with work anticipated for at least five years.

Contamination at the site includes toxic tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE), both classified by the EPA as likely carcinogens. The site's history includes petroleum refining and storage operations along Newtown Creek's banks, with chemical contamination discovered outside historic spill areas.

The EPA has sampled approximately three dozen properties for indoor vapor intrusion from contaminated soil and groundwater beneath buildings. To date, one sub-slab depressurization system has been installed by the EPA after CVOC vapors were detected inside several dozen properties by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

The finalized plan allows continued installation of these systems as needed while minimizing disruption for property owners and residents. The EPA continues investigating the entire site to determine contamination's full extent, including ongoing groundwater sampling.

For more information or questions regarding this cleanup effort, community members can contact Anna Drabek, Community Involvement Coordinator, at 212-637-3586 or Drabek.Anna@epa.gov.

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