#Fairfield Connecticut—First Selectman Mike Tetreau and Conservation Director Brian Carey announced today that the Town of Fairfield was notified by the Exide Corporation and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP) that the presence of Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were detected in select dredge sediment samples that were collected from the currently stockpiled dredge materials that are located on the former Exide site at 2190 Post Road, Fairfield, Connecticut.

The presence of PCBs in the stockpiled dredge spoils has triggered a mandatory review by CTDEEP and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the framework of the Toxic Substances and Control Act. The CTDEEP and EPA will review the new sampling data and will require additional authorizations prior to transporting the material for final disposal at a certified landfill facility.

The Exide Corporation is currently waiting on a formal response from the regulatory agencies so it can continue to proceed with the removal of the dredge sediments. There is no risk to the public presented at this time due to the discovery of PCBs within the existing dredge sediments. Site controls that have been implemented since the start of the project are very conservative in nature and would abate any potential impact to human health or the environment caused by the presence of PCBs or any other in-organic materials (i.e. Lead, Chromium) present in the riverbed sediments.

The CTDEEP and EPA will be issuing a decision regarding the regulatory steps required to move forward to ensure that the removal of the dredge materials are consistent with all the required Federal and State regulations and that the community’s health is protected.

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