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Summer 2001 Currents

Editorial: Pollution at Henkel Site Pollution at the Henkel Corporation site, located on the banks of the Saugus River on Central Street in Saugus, has recently been questioned as a possible cause of cancer to nearby residents. With four cases of multiple myeloma, a rare form of cancer being reported in the Henkel vicinity, residents are concerned about the potential relationship between contamination at Henkel and public health. Because of its high levels of pollution, the Henkel site, used as a chemical plant from the 1930s to 1990, is currently designated as a “Brownfield” site on the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Superfund List. Accordingly, the property cannot be used as a home, children’s school, day care center or playground unless children 12 or younger were protected from contact with contaminated soil. In response to concerns raised by one former neighborhood resident who now has cancer, the state has launched a renewed investigation into possible public health risks associated with the site. SRWC believes that the state should undertake a thorough investigation of the site to identify the full range of soil contamination, evaluate the public health risks of pollutants at this site, and answer questions such as whether pollutants in the soil have contaminated area groundwater. Regardless of whether studies end up linking specific cancer cases with pollution at Henkel, this case highlights the need for increased state funding for a major cleanup at this site as well as other Brownfield sites throughout the North Shore. Completion of an inventory of Brownfield sites located throughout the North Coastal watershed would also provide a valuable planning tool for prioritizing cleanup efforts.

Bird Watching in the Watershed
Saugus River and the Whaling Industry
SRWC Comments
Editorial: Pollution at Henkel Site
Patrick’s Place (Wiley Street, Wakefield)
Volunteers Clean Town Line Brook
CoastSweep 2001Team SRWC
Around the Watershed
Sediments Reveal Environmental
History of Lake Quannapowit