STCC continues to monitor campus soil contamination
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – In a report about lead contamination found in soil in and around the campus’ quad area over a year ago, an engineering consultant retained by Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) determined that the affected sections can be used for short-term activities.
In a letter sent to STCC in August 2019, O’Reilly, Talbot & Okun Associates, a geo-environmental engineering firm retained by STCC to perform testing and prepare a site investigation report on behalf of the college for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), stated:
“The quad area may continue to be used by high school and college-age students and staff at STCC for short-term activities. These activities may include sitting, walking and other low to medium intensity activities (e.g., Frisbee and pickup soccer). However, we do not recommend that the quad area be used for public and non-STCC events where young children would be crawling and playing in soil. Young children are the most sensitive receptors to lead exposure and may experience a more intense direct contact exposure to soil.”
Engineers evaluated a section of the quad used by children enrolled in the Armory Square Child Care, a private, nonprofit child day care serving children of STCC students, faculty, staff and the public. Engineers determined the area can be used as a play space by children in the day care as long as the children are restricted to that area.
Based on the report’s findings and recommendations, STCC will continue working with the Mass DEP to create a long-term plan for remediating this condition, including current efforts to secure state funding to perform additional testing to identify and remove the soil with the highest concentrations of lead.
Additionally, STCC will post permanent signs around the quad area notifying the public of the potential risks associated with use of the area.
On Jan. 29, 2018, college officials notified the community of lead contamination in soil in and around the campus’ quad area. Officials restricted use of the affected areas.
STCC sits on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site. Before the college was founded in 1967, its site was home to the Springfield Armory and was used to manufacture firearms for nearly two centuries.
About Springfield Technical Community College
Founded in 1967 and located on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, STCC is a major resource for the economic vitality of Western Massachusetts. As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC, a designated Hispanic Serving Instition, offers a variety of career programs unequalled in the state. STCC’s highly regarded transfer programs in business, engineering, liberal arts, science and technology continue to provide the most economical options for students pursuing a four-year degree. With an annual enrollment of about 7,000 day, evening, weekend and online students, STCC is a vibrant campus rich in diversity.
For more information about STCC, visit www.stcc.edu. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@S_T_C_C) and Instagram (@stccpics).
CONTACT:
Denise Hurst, Vice President of Advancement and External Affairs
Phone: (413) 755-4197; email: dhurstr@stcc.edu