Trace levels of contamination found in central Florida aquifer
Associated Press
Last update: 07 September 2003
GAINESVILLE -- Trace levels of contamination from a federally regulated waste site have been detected in the Floridan Aquifer, two miles from the well field that draws drinking water for 135,000 residents.
Most groundwater experts, environmental health officials and Gainesville's publicly owned utility agree that an immediate health threat does not exist.
But they do say more testing is needed to determine the full extent of the pollution at the Cabot Carbon-Koppers site, and additional steps may be required to remove the contamination from the aquifer.
A wood treatment facility has existed at the site since 1916. A two-month investigation of soils and groundwater beneath the Superfund cleanup site concluded that chemicals used in wood preservation -- including arsenic, naphthalene, acetone and benzene -- had migrated into the aquifer 156 feet below. Prolonged exposure to those chemicals can lead to bone marrow damage, anemia and cancer. (snip/...)
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