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Here’s one that a lot of people that don’t know this part of Greenpoint don’t know about. The toxic threat from “the Meeker Avenue Plumes.” The issue is complicated. At its most basic there is crap down there that has nothing to do with the Greenpoint Oil Spill that can kill you over the long term. In professional parlance there are “several large plumes of chlorinated solvents (TCE & PCE) in the soils and groundwater beneath Greenpoint and East Williamsburg. These plumes are collectively referred to by DEC as the “Meeker Ave. Plume”. The plumes are the result of decades of dumping and irresponsible manufacturing practices by historic and contemporary drycleaning, dyeing, and metalworking businesses.” The stuff is under a lot of homes and even extends to areas where new condos are being built. There’s a wealth of info about it here at the Newtown Creek Alliance’s website. In any case, there’s meeting about the plumes and what’s been found and what can be done clean up the mess and keep people from dropping dead of horrendous illnesses coming up this week. It’s being held by the NY State Dept of Environmental Conservation and the NY State Dept of Health. It takes place at St. Cecilia’s School, which is located at 1 Monitor St. There are two sessions on Wednesday (11/12) from 2PM-5PM and from 7PM-10PM. Per an email, the government reps will be on hand to “answer questions about the site and the recent investigation results, and to provide one-on-one meetings to discuss an individual property owner’s sampling results. Those living in the vicinity of the Meeker Avenue Plume Trackdown site are encouraged to attend.” Just in case anyone wonders WTF the problem is:

During the winter of 2007/2008 DEC/DOH conducted indoor air sampling in East Williamsburg just south of the BQE and discovered hazardous vapors from the Meeker Ave. Plumes in the indoor air of almost every residence they tested. Of the hundreds of homes that are potentially impacted by hazardous TCE and PCE vapors from the Meeker Ave. Plumes, DEC regrettably tested only 12. Of the 12 homes tested: 10 require mitigation, 1 requires mitigation/monitoring, and 1 requires that residents “take reasonable and practical actions to identify source(s) and reduce exposure”. Human exposures to TCE and PCE have been linked to the development of autoimmune diseases, birth defects, nervous system disorders, infertility, and cancer. Hundreds of Greenpoint and East Williamsburg residents and employees are potentially affected.

Twenty percent Special Plume Discounts on all new condos!!!