EPA, Nicor Tackle Cancer-Causing Compound in Suburban Chicago Homes

According to a press release, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region five has reported that their investigation into PCB-contaminated liquids in Nicor's gas systems have gone beyond what started in Park Ridge, Ill.

PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) are mixtures of synthetic chemicals which can be oily liquids to waxy solids. The EPA is worried about PCBs because they have harmful effects and can often remain in the environment due to the fact that they do not break down. They have not been domestically or commercially manufactured in the United States since 1977. The EPA has stated that PCBs are known to cause cancer (this conclusion was put together from exclusive EPA data).

The EPA is currently reviewing and studying 5 years of Nicor maintenance records in hopes of learning more about the PCB issue. The initial review found possible problems at several locations throughout northern Illinois. The EPA immediately completed follow-up testing at these suspected locations and are now determining what steps are neccessary in fixing the PCB contamination. Not only is the EPA looking into Nicor's case, but other gas companies in the region.

Back in June of 2007, Nicor personally contacted the EPA to report their discovery of PCBs in the gas meters at a total of four Park Ridge, Ill homes and also told the EPA that needed cleanups were made. The EPA immediately came to the scene and did follow-up testing to make sure that Nicor properly cleaned up the PCB contamination.

The EPA tested the indoor air, soil, and hard surfaces of the homes and still found PCBs in the top soil outside two of the homes near where the meters were. They concluded that the soil contamination happened due to spills from when Nicor replaced the meters. Nicor was then required to do a second clean up of the remaing PCBs in the top soil. After this second clean-up by Nicor, the EPA did follw-up testing that revealed no detectable amounts of PCBs.

Nicor.

Credit: Nicor

Copyright: Nicor