EPA asks for expanded Ill. PCB probe |
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Wed, 29 Aug 2007 18:04
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CHICAGO (AP) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is asking Ameren Corp. and its subsidiaries to expand an investigation of PCB-contaminated liquids found in natural gas distribution systems in Alton and East St. Louis.PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, a mixture of synthetic chemicals believed to be cancer-causing, were found earlier this month in liquid collection points outside Alton Middle School and in gas meters outside three homes in East St. Louis, the EPA said Monday.An inspection of gas supply equipment at the school and at a dozen East St. Louis homes found no evidence of PCBs there.'We will definitely cooperate with them in expanding our investigation,' said Ameren spokeswoman Erica Abbett. 'We don't expect that this is a widespread issue.'The chemicals were used decades ago to cool and lubricate transformers and in other electrical equipment. Their manufacture was banned in 1977.The chemicals were first detected in Alton and East St. Louis during the 1980s, officials said. The areas were retested this summer after traces of the chemicals were found in a suburb north of Chicago, Abbett said.In June, Nicor Inc. told federal regulators that it discovered PCBs in four homes in Park Ridge. Nicor cleaned the chemical from the homes as well as small traces of PCB contamination in the area.After Ameren's recent investigation, the St. Louis-based utility replaced the gas meters and cleaned the soil beneath them.Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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