Environmental Concerns
Toxic Building Materials
Some materials used in construction of buildings as old as 732-734 (asbestos, lead) are toxic. Great care must be taken when these structures are demolished.
Toxins in the Ground
We are extremely concerned that led, mercury and, possibly, PCBs will be released as dust if extreme precautions are not taken when demolishing 732 and 734 and digging for the foundations of the new building. We are demanding that the lot be tested for these toxins and, if they exist, that they are cleaned up before the demolition and reconstruction or otherwise contained during the demolitions and reconstruction.
An old Transit Authority substation stands less than 100 feet to the East of the lots holding 732, 734 and 736. It has been out of use for decades. Machines containing led, mercury and, potentially, PCBs have been rusting in standing water for over thirty years. Further, the buildings drains do not connect with the sewer system forcing the toxic water to seep directly into the ground.
We have obtained (FOILed) a study confirming that there are hazardous levels of mercury and led in the ground directly next to and uphill from 732 and 734. We have received elusive responses when requesting the results of the follow-up study looking for PCBs.