Chatsworth, CA – WEBWIRE – Tuesday, July 5, 2016
The San Gabriel Valley Tribune recently published an article about indoor air quality testing that is being conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Over 100 residential homes, commercial properties and recreational facilities have been tested so far for chemical contaminants in the El Monte and South El Monte areas. All of this is a result of concerns about chemicals migrating into the air inside of overlying homes and buildings near the San Gabriel Area 1 Superfund Site.
The chemicals being tested for include tetrachloroethylene (PERC) and the EPA reports that at least five properties have had treatment systems installed following the tests. PERC is a manufactured liquid chemical that has been used widely for dry cleaning, as a chemical intermediate, metal degreaser and as a component of some consumer products.
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that tetrachloroethylene may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen and the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified it as a Group 2A carcinogen. Back in 1988, California designated PERC under Prop 65 as known to cause cancer.
“People can unknowingly be exposed to PERC thru a process known as vapor intrusion,” said Franco Seif, President of Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “PERC vapors can enter a structure by migrating through contaminated soil or groundwater through cracks in the foundation and from contaminated bath, shower and drinking water. People can also be exposed if they use products containing the chemical or live or work in proximity to waste sites as is the concern in El Monte and South El Monte.”