New health concerns affecting residents along the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn are being investigated following findings by Toxics Targeting, an environmental database firm. The firm discovered air toxin levels inside one building near the canal that were 450 times the State Health Department’s recommended threshold. High toxin levels were also found in nearby soil.
Community Concerns Amid New Construction
Residents are worried that new construction in the area might exacerbate existing issues or create new ones. Seth Hollinger, a long-time resident of Gowanus and member of the group Voice of Gowanus, expressed concerns about the impact of development on chemicals buried in the soil of this superfund site—a location known for hazardous materials pollution.
Hollinger’s group has teamed up with Walter Hang of Toxics Targeting to uncover data about toxins in the area. “It seems like common sense that you would build and clean land first. But that doesn’t seem to be the case and it’s of great concern not only for building, but for existing residents,” Hollinger said.
State Investigations and Findings
Since last September, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has been quietly investigating around 100 blocks for contamination, including soil and air testing. One property, referred to as “Property Two,” was found to have 900 micrograms per cubic meter of trichloroethylene (TCE) in the indoor air, vastly exceeding the allowable amount of two micrograms per cubic meter. TCE has been linked to Parkinson’s Disease.
Walter Hang criticized the state for not warning the public about these findings. “We’re telling the governor that every single property within a thousand feet of every Brownfield has got to be investigated and then mitigated to protect public health,” Hang said.
Government Response
DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar addressed the concerns at a press conference, highlighting the coordinated efforts between federal, state, and local authorities to address the legacy contamination in the area. “EPA is in charge of the canal cleanup remedy, and we are overseeing brownfield and state Superfund cleanups throughout the area as well,” Mahar said.
Soil Vapor Intrusion Investigation
To address concerns about soil vapor intrusion from the industrial legacy of the Gowanus area, the DEC is completing a Gowanus Area Wide Soil Vapor Intrusion Investigation. Currently, the owners and tenants of approximately 100 properties have agreed to allow New York State to test their indoor air as part of this study.
Communication and Mitigation Efforts
The Department of Health (DOH) and DEC are committed to keeping the community informed through numerous updates, community sessions, and engagement with citizen groups. A map of the Gowanus Canal Area SVI Investigation is available on the DEC website.
Specific Case: 543 Union Street
At 543 Union Street, significant action has been taken to address elevated TCE levels. Immediate actions and long-term engineering controls are being implemented under close oversight by DEC and DOH, in coordination with the EPA. Recent air sample results from the building indicate that TCE concentrations in occupied units are now well below action levels.
Conclusion
The ongoing investigations and mitigation efforts are part of a broader strategy to ensure the safety and health of residents in the Gowanus Canal area. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through updates and resources provided by the DOH and DEC.
For more information, visit the DEC’s Gowanus Canal Area Sites page.