This announcement in the Mountain View Voice article comes after a long dispute between the Navy and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA tested the indoor air quality at the Moffet Field Museum “several times since 2008 and indoor air concentrations have exceeded EPA indoor air cleanup levels," according to EPA records.
The problem is a big underground plume of TCE, an industrial solvent that contaminated the soil and groundwater at Moffett years ago.
Navy accepts responsibility for toxic vapor cleanup
Under the agreement, the Navy may have to install ventilation systems or other mitigation measures, which can cost as much as $200,000 for a 20,000-square-foot building. But first it needs to find out the extent of the soil vapor intrusion. More than 30 occupied buildings at Moffett have not been tested since 2003.
Moffett Field used to be a base airport for the U.S. Navy and is now a joint military-civil airfield with moderate air traffic used by California Air National Guard, NASA,and others.
TCE a health risk
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| An air purifier with activated carbon can remove airborne chemicals and odors. |
TCE (or TRICHLOROETHYLENE) is a recognized carcinogen, and suspected additional health risks include toxic effects on the cardiovascular, developmental, gastrointestinal, the reproductive and respiratory systems as well as on human organs such as liver, kidney and skin.
It is ranked as one of the most hazardous compounds (worst 10%) to ecosystems and human health. If TCE has polluted the groundwater and soil beneath buildings, its vapors can enter buildings through cracks and fissures in the foundations. It needs to be filtered or aired out to prevent high concentrations in the ambient air.
If you’re concerned about vapor intrusion in your building, contact one of our Air Quality Experts now, or take advantage of our Live Support system.
Source: http://www.mv-voice.com/news/show_story.php?story_id=3967
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