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Landlords in toxic Brooklyn Superfund site are avoiding EPA air testing
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published Mar 9, 2025
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Nathan Kensinger
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published Mar 9, 2025
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The EPA is having a hard time getting landlords of Greenpoint and East Williamsburg buildings on a toxic Superfund site to open their doors for air testing.
Federal officials began knocking on doors in November 2023, taking the first steps toward assessing the pollution of the Meeker Avenue Plume. But since then, officials have gained access to only 200 out of roughly 1,000 properties in the 45-block stretch of Brooklyn contaminated by chemicals from dry cleaners, foundries and metalworking shops. Starting on Monday, the EPA will begin testing in 20 more buildings and will be seeking access to additional properties.
“ I've been incredibly disappointed by the lack of buildings in our community that have had testing completed by the EPA,” said City Councilmember Lincoln Restler, who represents the area. “The Meeker Avenue Plume is really dangerous. There is a plume in the Eastern Greenpoint, East Williamsburg area that can get into people's homes and businesses and cause very significant health issues.”
The EPA is testing indoor air for chlorinated volatile organic compounds, or CVOCs, including PCE and TCE. Long-term exposure to those pollutants can cause liver and kidney damage and increase the risk of cancer.
Natalie Vichnevsky, a member of the community advisory group for the Meeker Avenue Plume, said getting access to properties has been difficult because landlords are hard to reach, distrustful of the government and concerned that testing could decrease their property values. Vichnevsky said test results from private properties cannot be shared with the public.
“Too many property owners have decided to keep their head in the sand,” Restler said. “Anyone doing their homework before purchasing a new home or a property in the Meeker Avenue Plume area is going to know about the risks and they'd rather have data that shows the plume is a problem at this site or not a problem at this site. “
The Meeker Avenue plume is Pordered by Newtown Creek and Kingsland Avenue. The Superfund site includes McGolrick Park, businesses, residences and a school – P.S. 110 – which has already been found to be uncontaminated.
The Meeker Avenue Plume site has been contaminated by large dry cleaning facilities and metal industries that once occupied the area.
Nathan Kensinger
The TCE and PCE pollutants are the result of improper waste disposal from the large dry cleaning facilities and metal industries that once occupied the area.
The chemicals can turn into vapors that enter homes through dirt basements, cracks or utility lines. People who work or live in basements over the plume are especially vulnerable.
“This is an opportunity to ensure the safety of our families and neighbors,” said U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez, who represents the area in Congress.
The free testing is part of the first phase of the EPA’s work in the area, which was declared a Superfund site in 2022. The designation applies to the most contaminated and hazardous locations in the country. Owners of buildings that test positive for unsafe levels of TCE and PCE will get free systems to remove the contaminants from the air.
Officials at the state’s environmental agency, which is involved in the efforts, says it has already installed more than 25 mitigation systems in buildings within the Meeker Avenue Plume.
“ It's a win-win situation,” Vichnevsky said. “You either find out that there's not an issue or you find out that there is a concern or an issue and there is a remedy to deal with it and to keep you and your family safe and protect the health of your community.”
The testing can only be done during the winter because it is more accurate when windows are closed.
Any property owner can request a test by contacting the EPA or the community advisory group. On April 9, the advisory group will hold a meeting at St. Nick’s Alliance at 2 Kingsland Ave. at 6 p.m. to update the public on the indoor air testing. The EPA’s regional office is also providing updates on X, Instagram, and Facebook
“Your health is at risk by living or working in the area of the Meeker Avenue Plume, but it doesn't have to be if you get your building tested,” Restler said. “It is so important to take this initial step to get testing done before the winter season concludes by the end of March.”
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Health and Science
Rosemary Misdary
Rosemary is health & science reporter. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or Signal 646-544-9524.
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