Fear of contamination returns at Mann Chemical site
Published on November 17th, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - Stoneham parents say contaminants in the ground around the proposed Central School construction site could give children cancer.
"The project is set to go out to bid in January," according to School Building Committee Chairman Dan Hogan.
Town Administrator Jeff Nutting said selectmen approved a site plan for the school six months ago after the town's environmental engineers examined the site.
Bob Weisbrod, a biologist and member of the recently formed Stoneham Parents for Healthy Schools, addressed reporters from multiple television stations on Monday, Nov. 15, in front of the former Mann Chemical property at 105 Central St.
The former Mann property is adjacent to the Stoneham Middle School at 101 Central St. The town plans to build the new Central Elementary School behind the Middle School and abutting the back end of the Mann property. A diagonal running from the proposed Central School site across Middle School property and through the Mann site to Central Street would measure about 100 yards.
"What is extremely alarming is that the testing (of the Mann site) so far has not included testing for chemicals associated with the historic use of the site," Weisbrod said.
The 105 Central St. property was originally a currier shop specializing in tanning hides in the late 1800s. Vera Chem came next, then Hercules Powder, specializing in paper coatings. Mann Chemical operated from 1944 to 1995, focusing on custom mixing of various chemicals.
"There has been no testing for heavy metals...associated with a tannery," Weisbrod said. He noted a recent Boston Globe article which reported a disproportionate number students with leukemia at an Ohio school allegedly built on top of land polluted with heavy metals.
In 1994 chemical contamination was found at the Central Animal Hospital at 109 Central St. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) found vinyl chloride, a human carcinogen.
According to studies on file with the state, further investigation suggested that the Mann site was the source of these ground contaminants.
Hogan said 1996 studies of the 105 Central St. property sent mixed signals:
"They said there was no danger but that it was not advisable for children's uses," Hogan said.
According to Weisbrod, chemicals found on and around the Mann site are "known to cause blood and liver tumors, spermatogenesis and central nervous system depression."
The now empty 105 Central St. lot is owned by developer Jeff Cataldo. A portion of the site, to which Cattalo has granted the town an easement, will be used to widen an access road and provide additional parking for the new Central School.
Selectmen initially accepted the easement conditional on testing it for contamination, but Cattalo exercised his legal right to refuse testing. The town accepted the easement anyway.
The Central School site has also been tested, but again, Stoneham Parents for Healthy Schools say key tests for dangerous chemicals have not been done.
"All we are asking for is proper testing," said Terri Ghana of Green Street.
She was at the press conference supporting Stoneham Parents for Healthy Schools with her two young children.
"With our family history we don't need any contamination," Ghana said, referring to her father's death from cancer.
School Committee Chairwoman Jeanne Craig said the School Department is proceeding with plans to build the school.
"We are doing what was dictated by the townspeople," Craig said; the October Special Town Meeting approved the continued funding of the school building project.
What now?
The Stoneham Parents for Healthy Schools want the town to retest the entire area from Mann to the proposed Central School footprint for contaminants before going forward with construction. Also, when and if construction begins, the group wants work to occur only during the summer months when children are not at the Middle School. And the group wants air filtration systems used around the construction site.
Netting said the conditions of the site plan already specify that workers cannot "break ground" while school is in session. The building itself will have no basement level. Also, a vapor barrier and vents will be set up during construction as per DEP specifications.
Cheryl Walsh of Brookbridge Road said the Stoneham Parents for Healthy Schools hope to meet with selectmen at the board's Nov. 30 meeting. But, as of the morning of Nov. 17, the group has yet to formally request a spot on the agenda.
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