ACE also continues to monitor the farmers and other citizens with environmental problems in the Gilbertsville area. GreenWatch continues to work with ACE on the multiple environmental issues in their community. AIR uncovered buried drums on the site in 1998 that led to the site being fenced to the public for the first time. These wells are contaminated with TCE above the state maximum contamination level. GreenWatch does not believe that the high levels of TCE found in the wells could possibly have come from farm chemicals.
Investigation is on going, stay tuned.
GreenWatch also reviewed a multi-pathway risk assessment conducted by contractors for Merck in preparation for the public meeting GreenWatch investigators gave the 70 citizens who attended many reasons to form a citizens group to watch dog the project including but not limited to serious flaws in the health risk assessment. According to the risk assessment 238 chemicals, including the ultra toxic dioxins and furans, could be emitted from the incinerator. Citizens remain concerned with the hazardous waste incinerator s possible emissions as well as the impact Merck may be having on their groundwater. The hazardous waste incinerator is expected to be completed in early 2002 and will have to pass trial burns for dioxins and furans, as well as metals and other toxic chemicals. Another risk assessment will also be conducted by Merck to determine whether or not the operation of their hazardous waste incinerator will cause harm to the public health or the environment.