Fields Remain Closed at Western Middle School; Partial Field Reopening Possible

Area in black outline represents proposed area of the fields to be reopened in fall 2017.

Map of Western Middle School fields included in report from Langan dated Sept. 2016.

Langan map legend: Residential Direct Exposure for Chlordane is 0.49 mg/kg. For PCBs the threshold is 1.0. For Arsenic the threshold is 10 mg/kg, and for Lead, the threshold is 400 mg/kg.

Weeds sprouting at a close off field at Western Middle School. Aug 21, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager

Weeds sprouting at a close off field at Western Middle School. Aug 21, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager

The fields at Western Middle School continue to remain closed, though Greenwich Schools announced they anticipate a partial re-opening this fall.

In a statement on Friday Aug 18, environmental consultants, Langan, said that the portion of the field the district hopes to reopen haven not needed remediation.

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Environmental testing conducted over the summer of 2016 on soil samples from the Western fields indicated levels of contaminants in amounts that exceeded the CT DEEP residential thresholds.

PCBs. The highest amount of PCBs found in the field was 318 mg/kg. The exceedance threshold is 1.0. (Other results of soil samples had PCBs as high as  78.5, 95.3, 318, 123, 250, 174 and 124mg/kg.

Chlordane, a pesticide banned in 1988 was also found. (Because of concern about damage to the environment and harm to human health, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned all uses of chlordane in 1983, except termite control. The EPA banned all uses of chlordane in 1988).

Direct exposure to Chlordane is considered  anything above 0.49mg/kg.

Chlordane was found in amounts of 4.13, 5,48, 3.16, 3.23, 3.95, 2.68, 3.6. 19.3, 1.74, 2.31, 6.76, 0.985, 0.8, 0.155. 0.741, 0.302, 0.778, 1.7, 1.51, and 5.85.

Lead. The highest Lead was 1,640 mg/kg (The threshold 400mg/kg). Five soil samples exceeded the 400mg/kg level:  1,190mg/kg, 423mg/kg, 412mg/kg, 478mg/kg.

Arsenic There were three soil samples that exceeded the threshold of 10mg/kg for Arsenic.

In 2014, Arsenic was also found at Byram Shore in advance of the pool project, and at William Street field in advance of the proposed new New Lebanon School project.

See also:

Selectmen Address Byram Pool Project & Environmental What If’s

High Levels of Arsenic Found in Field in Designated Byram Pool Site 

Supplemental Soil Testing at Ravine behind New Leb Reveal Some High Level of Arsenic

Toxic Soil and MISA. Where Does the Buck Stop?

Long stretches of chain link fence at Western Middle School fields. Aug 21, 2017

Weeds have taken over the Western Middle School organic garden. August 21, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager

Weeds grow through the bleachers at Western Middle School fields that are closed. Aug 21, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager