For more than 25 years, Woburn, Massachusetts has been the site of an intensive cleanup effort to remove pollutants such as benzene (a volatile organic compound known to cause leukemia), arsenic and ammonia. The area has long been deemed one of the most toxic in the nation.

100+ Years of Pollution

The pollution began over a century ago during the Civil War when the area became home to numerous manufacturing facilities – facilities that manufactured chemicals and glue. As the cleanup nears completion, the EPA is looking at redeveloping the 245-acre area.

At Least One Death

The agency has already approved a retail complex and Anderson Regional Transportation Center, which is named after Jimmy Anderson, a young boy who died of cancer in 1981. His mother filed a civil lawsuit over the toxic pollution.

Others who have been injured by the contamination in Woburn may also be able to file a civil lawsuit against responsible party(s).

Tags: "Benzene Exposure" "benzene leukemia" "toxic chemicals", Information-News, toxic chemicals