MassDEP NERO/ER
has responded to a situation that constitutes a "Significant
Incident," involving a release/threat of release of hazardous materials to
the environment. On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, NERO/ER was notified of
a MassDFS Hazmat Team response to a dumping of a small quantity of
"unknown controlled substances" on Gledhill Avenue in Everett.
MassDEP assistance was offered, but the incident commander declined
assistance. Then on Sunday, November 3, 2024, a small quantity of an
unknown chemical was discovered on Mount Washington Street in Everett,
prompting another Hazmat Team response. MassDEP assistance was offered
again, but was declined. Monday, November 4, 2024, ten 1-gallon containers of various acids
and solvent mixtures were discovered at the intersection of Prentiss and Lynn
Street in Malden, a spill of unknown chemicals was found on Rosedale Avenue in
Everett, and a cache of unknown chemicals was found at a single-family
residence at 51 Gledhill Avenue in Everett. At this time, it is suspected
that all of these incidents are related, based on the types of containers,
suspected chemicals involved, and proximity to 51 Gledhill Avenue.
Due to the quantity of mixed
chemicals dumped at the intersection, MassDEP agreed to mobilize a state
cleanup contractor to remove and properly dispose of the chemicals and complete
any necessary cleanup of the roadway. Pending identification of the
suspected chemicals spilled on Rosedale Avenue in Everett, it appears likely
that a state-funded cleanup will be required at that location as well.
It's also possible that some amount of cleanup could be necessary at
Gledhill Avenue in Everett, as some of the chemicals may have been dumped on
the sidewalk in front of the residence. NERO/ER personnel are in the
process of identifying a state contractor that is willing to respond for
MassDEP.
As reported by several local news outlets, the
51 Gledhill Avenue residence in Everett appears to be the site of a clandestine
drug laboratory. Everett Fire Department and the state Hazmat Team have
requested MassDEP assistance with segregating, managing and properly disposing
of numerous containers of hazardous materials that are located at 51 Gledhill
Avenue, many of which are open and unlabeled. The residence is still an
active crime scene, so NERO/ER personnel have not been able to access the
property as of 11/4/24. MassDEP will meet at the site tomorrow
morning to discuss the scope of MassDEP's involvement and identify any
time-critical response actions necessary to eliminate ongoing releases or
threats of release.
On 11/5/24, MassDEP toured the residence at 51 Gledhill Avenue and inspected the
chemicals collected by the Everett Fire Department from the roadway dumping
locations. Based on the condition of various chemicals and hazardous
wastes stored outdoors at the residence and at the DPW yard, threat of release
conditions exist at both locations that must be addressed on an expedited
basis. With no other party able to conduct the necessary response actions
to eliminate the threat of release conditions at this time, MassDEP is mobilizing a
crew from New England Disposal Technologies tomorrow morning to properly
identify, segregate, containerize and dispose of the numerous chemicals and
hazardous wastes identified at both locations. MassDEP will oversee this state-funded
response on 11/6/24.
Information
obtained from the Everett Fire Department indicates that hazardous
materials may have been dumped into the pool by the resident. MassDEP collected water samples from the swimming pool on 11/5/24, which are being analyzed
by the MassDEP Field Assessment and Support Team (FAST).
The
City of Everett has also requested assistance with addressing the numerous
chemicals and hazardous wastes that remain inside the residence, which has been
condemned by the Everett Health Department. Cathy Kiley coordinated an
initial call with EPA this afternoon, to discuss a request for EPA assistance
via the EPA Removal Program to deal with the materials inside the residence.
NERO/ER
will remain involved until the chemicals and hazardous wastes at the residence
are appropriately addressed.
