ELECTROHOME (SHANLEY ST.) CLEANUP: FOR REAL OR TYPICAL MICKEY MOUSE CLEANUP?

How many times have I read effusive descriptions of "world class" cleanups and the like, yet not a remediation report in sight? Today's K-W Record article by Liz Monteiro titled "Eight story apartment building setr for former Electrohome site" actually doesn't even mention the fact that the former Electrohome site was contaminated. Contaminated with trichloroethylene among other toxic substances and solvents. The article does describe the process of incorporating local residents' concerns and opinions into the redevelopment plans. Yes in today's housing shortages and high costs more housing is a good idea. I hope. It kind of depends on just exactly how much and how well the cleanup was done. ............................................................................................................................ Make no mistake regarding the seriousness of the problem. Do you recall the movie "A Civil Action" with John Travolta? Same toxic solvent involved namely trichloeoethylene or TCE. What is worse is that TCE can be either in dissolved form in the groundwater or in free phase form known as DNAPL or dense non aqueous phase liquid. Most likely it is in both forms simultaneously. Basically the free phase DNAPL dissolves very slowly in the sub-surface over decades and centuries and pollutes the groundwater to well above health standards. Then a process known as vapour intrusion can occur whereby the fumes enter through the basements into homes and the inhabitants end up breathing the fumes for decades. That is what happened in the Bishop St. community in Cambridge, Ontario where three hundred homes were affected and many residents and generations sufferred the serious health consequences. ..................................................................................................................................................... New tenants beware. Ask for copies of the cleanup plan and then find an expert willing to interpret it for you.