Posted on Tue, Dec. 16, 2003

Demolition of homes begins near `Mount Dioxin' in Pensacola
Associated Press

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Demolition of 45 homes near a Superfund toxic waste site dubbed "Mount Dioxin" has begun, but an environmental activist said more testing should have been conducted before the work started.

Crews began tearing down the houses Thursday and they expect to demolish 20 homes before stopping work for the holidays on Sunday, said Dave Wessendorf, site superintendent with BEM Systems Inc. of New Jersey. The demolition will resume Jan. 5, he said Monday.

The homes were vacated because they are close to an abandoned wood treating plant where tests showed high levels of dioxin, which has been linked to cancer, in yards.

The Environmental Protection Agency moved 358 families, the third-largest relocation in EPA history behind Times Beach, Mo., and Love Canal at Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Additional soil tests should have been taken before the demolition began to make sure it was within cleanup standards and did not spread contaminants through the air, said Francis Dunham, a board member of Citizens Against Toxic Exposure.

Wessendorf said he was confident dioxin would not get into the air. He said water is being sprayed on the houses to keep dust down. Workers are not wearing protective suits.

While dioxin levels are over limits allowed for residential use, they are below the standard for industrial activities.

Local officials want to redevelop the neighborhood for industrial use, but nothing can be done until the EPA cleans the former Escambia Treating Co. site.

The agency in 1992 excavated 344,250 tons of contaminated soil to keep toxins from seeping into groundwater but left it piled on the site in a huge mound under plastic sheeting.

EPA officials have yet to decide on a permanent solution, but Escambia County officials say the demolition should give them leverage to get the site cleaned because so redevelopment can proceed.

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Information from: Pensacola News Journal, http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com

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