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Authorities have found the cause of high levels of a chemical thought to cause cancer that was detected in Millsboro and Dagsboro water supplies in 2005, forcing a temporary ban of the drinking water.
They have also discovered a large cloud of the chemical floats in the air above Millsboro.
Officials say chemicals used at a poultry plant that closed in 1999 resulted in high concentrations of trichloroethylene (TCE) in the Millsboro water supply, which also supplies Dagsboro.
The source of the contamination was identified by Department of Environmental and Resource Control (DNREC) authorities and released in a report Wednesday, Oct. 10. The source was identified as a poultry vaccine manufacturing plant, which was in business from 1952 until 1999 and demolished in 2000. According to the investigation, TCE, a colorless liquid, is used to remove grease from fabricated metal parts or textiles. TCE has been linked to cancer, liver disease and leukemia.
The investigation took place from Dec. 12, 2005, to May 10, 2006. James D. Werner, director for the DNREC Division of Air and Waste Management, presented the report at the Delaware Technical and Community College Terry Campus in Dover.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the maximum contaminant level for TCE is 5 parts per billion. Testing of groundwater near where the plant stood revealed 10 parts per billion of TCE. Raw water tests in Millsboro have averaged 470 parts per billion since December 2005, but levels have declined significantly since November 2006.
According to the DNREC investigation, 300 groundwater samples taken 12 feet to 90 feet below ground showed high levels of TCE in Millsboro and Dagsboro. The highest levels were found in the vicinity of Wharton Street and West Dupont Highway, where the poultry plant was located.
Also contributing to the high TCE levels are cracked septic tanks. Sludge samples recovered from various sites contained high concentrations of the chemical. Leaking underground storage tanks, containing primarily gasoline or petroleum, were found throughout the area. A total of 107 leaking tanks were discovered in Millsboro and Dagsboro. TCE can escape through the cracks in old tanks and seep into drinking water supplies or contaminate the soil.
Chemical cloud
As if tainted water and recent reports of cancer clusters surrounding the Indian River Power Plant weren’t bad enough, a 1,500-foot long, 300-foot wide plume of TCE is hovering above Millsboro, according to the investigation. The TCE cloud, which is lighter than air, appears to be staying at a high altitude. DNREC performed indoor air monitoring tests of nearby residences and the results showed no signs of TCE.
The TCE investigation, for both water and air, has cost $700,000 to date, and $4 million is budgeted for continued investigation and responsive action in 2008. What actions will be taken have yet to be determined.
In October 2005, the Division of Public Health’s Office of Drinking Water discovered high levels of TCE in water samples taken from the Boys and Girls Club in Dagsboro, where water is supplied by Millsboro. The public water systems of Millsboro and Dagsboro were taken offline immediately. Carbon filters, installed in November 2005, lowered the concentration to acceptable levels and allowed the water ban to be lifted.
Contact Eddie Phillipps at eddiep@capegazette.com
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