Report: Chemical Levels at High School Pose No Health Risk

State agency analysis finds no threat from degreasing chemical found on school grounds.

An analysis of groundwater and indoor air quality at Arlington High School shows there is no imminent health risk to students and staff, according to a state report released Tuesday. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection conducted tests at the school last week, after a preliminary examination identified low levels of a commonly used degreasing and dry cleaning chemical near the school. In their report, state officials said the levels of the chemical (called Perchloroethylene or PEC) are below what could pose a health risk at the school. Yet, state and town officials said they will continue to test the area to eliminate PEC from groundwater and air altogether. Principal Mary Villano said the testing should be completed …

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Week in Review

Week in Review: More Affordable Housing Coming to Arlington, State Testing Air and Soil Quality at High School, and a Changing American Dream

A look at the week that was in Arlington news.

The Housing Corporation of Arlington is set to begin renovating three apartment buildings—totaling 32 units—early next year in what would be the largest affordable housing project built in the town in about 30 years, housing officials said. State officials are testing groundwater and indoor air quality at Arlington High School, after a preliminary examination identified low levels of a commonly used degreasing and dry cleaning chemical near the school. And Patch has a new editorial project coming down the pipe—"Dispatches: the Changing American Dream." We don't think there's one American Dream, but a multitude of American Dreams, which a multitude of people are working toward. Our goal is to take snapshots of those different dreams, and …

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Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today, Aug. 18

Weather, officials testing air quality at high school and date night destinations.

Good morning, Arlington! Here are five things you need to know today: 1. Weather: Expect a mix of sunshine and clouds today, with a 20 percent chance of precipitation throughout the day. High temperatures could reach 87 degrees with an overnight low of 66 degrees. 2. In case you missed it: State officials are testing groundwater and indoor air quality at Arlington High School, after a preliminary examination identified low levels of a commonly used degreasing and dry cleaning chemical near the school. 3. Patch Picks: Each week, Arlington Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more in our Thursday feature called Patch Picks. This week, we want to…

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State Officials Conducting Air, Soil Quality Analysis at High School

Small amounts of degreasing and dry cleaning chemical found near school.

Editor's note: The following information comes from a statement from the town of Arlington. State officials are testing groundwater and indoor air quality at Arlington High School, after a preliminary examination identified low levels of a commonly used degreasing and dry cleaning chemical near the school. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection conducted limited testing at the school last week, as a part of the department’s efforts to identify the presence of Perchloroethylene—commonly referred to as PCE—, according to a statement from the town. The testing identified low levels of PCE in the soil near the school. Low to moderate levels of this chemical were also detected in some areas of the basement of the old portion …

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EPA: Poor Air Quality to Continue Thursday

EPA officials on Wednesday issued a warning throughout southern Connecticut, all of Rhode Island, the south coast of Massachusetts and coastal Maine.

Editor's note: the following information comes from a press release from the Environmental Protection Agency, edited to conform with Arlington Patch's publication standards. Ground-level ozone will lead to unhealthy air quality in Arlington on Thursday, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. EPA officials on Wednesday issued a warning throughout southern Connecticut, all of Rhode Island, the south coast of Massachusetts and coastal Maine. As of Wednesday afternoon, the warning level throughout Massachusetts was at a moderate level. “As this hot summer weather continues, we predict unhealthy air quality to continue in parts of southern and coastal New England,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England …

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