Here’s another story about benzene groundwater contamination near an unlined landfill.  The contamination was discovered using "test wells" which waste management companies use to monitor groundwater contamination levels, and the drift of that contamination.

A plume of contaminates including benzene, was discovered on the north side of an Orange County North Carolina landfill.  Test wells showed the contamination to be drifting east.

According to Gayle Wilson, Orange County Solid Waste Director, The chemicals are coming from a closed portion of the landfill on the north side of Eubanks Rd.  The unlined landfill opened in 1972 and was covered in 1996.

The benzene contamination exceeded state levels for groundwater quality, but not the maximum federal level acceptable for drinking water.  Levels for vinyl chloride exceeded all acceptable levels.

Benzene is a well known carcinogen responsible for a host of debilitating diseases including dangerous blood disorders, and leukemia.

The company has been working with the state to formulate a cleanup plan.  The plan involves installation of two "injection wells." The wells will "force a mix of water and sodium permanganate into contact with the plume to neutralizer the chemicals."-Carrboro Citizen, 3/19

Tags: benzene "groundwater contamination" "groundwater quality" leukemia "blood disorders", groundwater contamination, groundwater quality, Information-News