In an article published in today’s St. Petersburg Times, the cost and length of the cleanup of Raytheon groundwater contamination will likely be lengthy and expensive. According to the article, environmental consultants determine that the process offici won’t even begin the process until it is first determined the extent and nature of the plume. This obviously increases the burden and suffering of Azalea residents who are left to worry and wonder what will become of their health and their property values.
As we know, the original problem began in 1991 when the plant that caused the spill was owned by E Systems. However, Raytheon inherited the problem as well as the responsibility for it after it merged with E Systems in April 1995. While Raytheon and the DEP continue to insist the chemicals trichloroethylene (TCE), vinyl chloride, 1,4-dioxane are not hazardous to human health, other environmental experts disagree. According to the Times, “a DEP document shows that wells tested in March 2007 at Azalea Park, 72nd Street N, the Brandywine Apartments, 70th Street N and Stone’s Throw Condominiums show levels of trichloroethylene (TCE), vinyl chloride, 1,4-dioxane and other toxic chemicals well above levels considered potentially hazardous to human health.”
No matter how you look at it this is a tragic situation for the good people of the Azalea neighborhood of St. Petersburg. It also demonstrates the consequences of corporate bad behavior.