Town Officials Announce Discovery of Soil Contaminants After Testing Parks and School Yards

Town officials in Fairfield, Connecticut recently posted information about soil samples taken from eight area schools. The samples were collected after concerns came to light over the past use of contaminated fill in some of the town’s schools and parks. In fact, the Fairfield Citizen reported in August that twenty parks and fields were temporarily closed as the city investigated these contamination concerns.

Out of eight schools, three showed contaminant levels above the Residential Direct Exposure Criteria, which is meant to protect human health from exposure to contaminants in soil. Arsenic was detected at one of the schools and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were shown at the other two. The city has announced that because levels were detected in exceedance of the residential criteria, it will proceed with remediation efforts. Arsenic, lead and asbestos have also been detected from some soil samples from a town park according to additional information posted by the city.

“Students and young children playing sports, enjoying recess or just a day at the park should not have to worry about being exposed to hazardous substances such as lead, arsenic, asbestos or PAHs,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that some PAHs may reasonably be expected to be carcinogens. Exposure to asbestos over time can cause mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. Both short-term and long-term exposure to elevated levels of arsenic can cause a wide range of health issues, and lead can affect almost every organ and system in the body. At EMSL, with dozens of laboratories across the United States and Canada, we offer soil and other environmental and industrial hygiene testing for all of these contaminants and many others. Soil contamination issues like this case can occur anytime contaminated fill is used or when schools, buildings and parks are constructed above former industrial sites or in places where dumping occurred years before.”

To learn more about lead, PAHs, arsenic, asbestos or other environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com .


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 46 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail