PCB cleanup on track

Jenny Marder

Cleanup of a cancer-causing chemical found in the soil of nine

Huntington Beach yards is underway and should be complete by early

next month, state regulators say.

Five years ago, polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, were found in

soil samples on the Fieldstone Property, an undeveloped 42-acre lot

at the northeast portion of the Bolsa Chica Wetlands, bordered by

Graham Street, Bankton Drive and Falkirk Lane. The source of

contamination is unknown.

PCBs are considered likely human carcinogens by the Environmental

Protection Agency. Production of the chemical, which is found in

electric transformers and hydraulic fluid, was banned in 1977.

Two years ago, scientists discovered that the PCBs had spread from

the Fieldstone Property to surrounding homes. After a lengthy series

of tests, a cluster of nine homes, all on Bankton Drive, were found

to be contaminated.

Contractors, landscapers and horticulturists are working jointly

to complete the removal of the PCBs as quickly and efficiently as

possible, said Yasser Aref, a hazardous substances scientist for the

Department of Toxic Substances Control, which is heading the cleanup.

The team has already removed the contaminants from all of the

frontyards and will soon be starting on the backyards.

“It’s going well, and the department is committed to cleaning up

this area for the protection of the residents,” Aref said. “The

community has been very accepting of what we’re doing, it’s going

well, and hopefully, it will be done soon.”

Mary Ann Cross’ dogs won’t stop barking with workers and machinery

moving in and out of her yard.

Cross, who has lived on Bankton Drive for 26 years, said that

while the process is stressful and disruptive, the workers have been

helpful, considerate and informative.

“I can’t speak any higher for the people doing the cleanup,” Cross

said. “This is nothing anyone wants to go through, but if you have

to, it’s the best it can be.”

The cleanup, estimated at $750,000, is a three-step process that

involves the removal of the chemical, confirmation testing and

restoration of the site.

Contractors, hired by the Department of Toxic Substances Control,

are using an oversized vacuum, called a Super Vac, to remove the

contaminants.

The vacuum, which sucks the soil directly from the ground and into

a large garbage bin, is cost effective and produces very few air

emissions, Aref said.

The chances of the chemical becoming airborne during the cleanup

process is minimal, he said.

“We’re taking precautions for that.... Instead of generating dust,

it sucks it up as we’re removing the soil,” Aref said.

Upon removal, the contaminated dirt is trucked to a hazardous

waste landfill in Kettleman City, roughly 45 miles north of Fresno.

After the first foot of soil is removed, regulators send soil

samples to the lab to determine whether they need to dig down deeper.

Restoration will begin as soon as the yards are determined free of

pollutants.

“It’s not going fast, but it’s going, and I’m thrilled that it’s

getting done,” Cross said.

Residents have been assured that their homes will soon be returned

to pre-cleanup conditions. Landscapers and horticulturists are

working with the neighbors to restore plants, trees and other

vegetation disturbed during the process. In some cases, new plants

and trees will be planted.

“Some plants in the area were kind of difficult for residents to

take care of,” Aref said. “They have the option to get plants that

might be more appropriate.”

In several homes, landscapers are planting 8- to 10-foot trees to replace other trees that had to be removed.

“Actually, they just delivered some plants that are lovely,” Cross

said. “I think the yard will come back. They’re trying as hard as

they can to bring the yard back to what it was.”

Aref estimates cleanup of the homes will be completed by early

October.