Richmond, MA (01254) – Environmental Hazard Report

ZIP: 01254

Richmond, Massachusetts

Score: 7.4/10

Warning: Dangerous chemicals from the nearby Housatonic River may have spread to the Richmond area. Residents should have their private well water tested immediately to ensure it is safe to drink.

Hazard Data Summary

Hazard Score
7.4/10
Risk Level
High
Primary Contaminant
Unspecified Hazardous Substances
Nearest Superfund Site
HOUSATONIC RIVER
Distance to Nearest
8.9 mi
Sites Within 5 Miles
0
Sites Within 10 Miles
4
County
Berkshire
NPL Status
Active

Regulatory Overview

The zip code area of Richmond, Massachusetts, 01254, currently maintains a high environmental hazard designation due to regional proximity to multiple active industrial remediation zones. While zero contaminated facilities operate directly within a five-mile radius, four active facilities lie within ten miles. These include the New England Log Homes Site, Ried Cleaners, Sprague Electric Co, and the Housatonic River. The Housatonic River represents a significant federal concern located 8.9 miles from Richmond. The primary environmental threat stems from unspecified hazardous substances historically discharged into regional waterways and native soils. Prolonged residential exposure to such legacy industrial compounds can disrupt human endocrine function, elevate chronic respiratory disease risks, and increase the likelihood of specific cellular cancers depending on the exact chemical interaction and exposure duration. The Housatonic River site currently holds an active status on the Environmental Protection Agency National Priorities List. This classification indicates that comprehensive long-term cleanup operations, targeted sediment dredging, and continuous groundwater monitoring remain ongoing to mitigate broader public health risks. Given the potential for groundwater contamination migration and soil vapor intrusion from these nearby facilities, residents should implement strict defensive measures. Residents relying on private domestic wells should test their water annually for volatile organic compounds, industrial solvents, and heavy metals. Individuals fishing in regional waterways must strictly adhere to local catch-and-release advisories to prevent the dietary ingestion of bioaccumulated aquatic toxins. Furthermore, residents maintaining residential vegetable gardens should construct raised planting beds utilizing imported, certified clean topsoil to isolate food crops from potentially contaminated native soils.

Nearby Superfund Sites

Site NameEPA IDDistanceNPL Status
NEW ENGLAND LOG HOMES SITE1100092891356.71 miActive
RIED CLEANERS1100034260986.76 miActive
HOUSATONIC RIVER1100711007678.95 miActive
SPRAGUE ELECTRIC CO1100137458129.89 miActive

Data Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Superfund Enterprise Management System (SEMS). Facility data from EPA Facility Registry Service (FRS).

This report is generated from publicly available government data and does not constitute legal or medical advice. For current site-specific information, visit EPA Superfund.

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