Orange, MA (01364) – Environmental Hazard Report

ZIP: 01364

Orange, Massachusetts

Score: 10/10

Orange, Massachusetts, faces a critical hazard score of 10.0. The Berkshire Gas Company is the nearest Superfund site, located just 2.7 miles away. This site contains dangerous hazardous substances that can leak into the ground or water. These chemicals may affect the air you breathe and the water you use. Living near these industrial sites means you must be careful about local soil and well water. High hazard scores indicate a serious risk to your long-term health and safety.

Hazard Data Summary

Hazard Score
10/10
Risk Level
Critical
Primary Contaminant
Unspecified Hazardous Substances
Nearest Superfund Site
BERKSHIRE GAS COMPANY
Distance to Nearest
2.7 mi
Sites Within 5 Miles
3
Sites Within 10 Miles
3
County
Franklin
NPL Status
Active

Regulatory Overview

Orange, Massachusetts, currently operates under a critical environmental hazard designation due to concentrated industrial contamination. Three active hazardous sites exist within a three-mile radius, including Railroad Salvage and Griswold Cotton Mill, Strathmore Mill Complex, and the Berkshire Gas Company facility. The Environmental Protection Agency classifies the Berkshire Gas Company site under an active National Priorities List cleanup status, meaning federal remediation and environmental containment protocols are ongoing.

The primary environmental threats stem from unspecified hazardous substances traditionally associated with legacy manufacturing and gas production. While the exact chemical agents remain broadly categorized by regulators, historical facilities of this type routinely leave behind polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals. When these legacy contaminants leach into local soil or groundwater tables, prolonged environmental exposure can severely compromise respiratory systems, impair neurological development in children, and elevate long-term risks for chronic organ toxicity.

Because the federal remediation phase remains active, residents living near these facility perimeters must adopt immediate exposure mitigation strategies to protect household health. Residents should install certified reverse osmosis filtration systems on all tap water sources to intercept potential chemical groundwater migration. Individuals utilizing private wells must schedule annual laboratory testing specifically screening for volatile organic compounds and industrial heavy metals. Furthermore, residents should avoid disturbing deep soil or utilizing untreated groundwater for agricultural purposes, particularly within the immediate two-mile radius of the Berkshire Gas Company and surrounding mill complexes. Continuous adherence to local municipal water and soil advisories remains essential while federal agencies work to neutralize the active contamination zones currently affecting this area.

Threat Summary

Orange, Massachusetts, faces a critical hazard score of 10.0. The Berkshire Gas Company is the nearest Superfund site, located just 2.7 miles away. This site contains dangerous hazardous substances that can leak into the ground or water. These chemicals may affect the air you breathe and the water you use. Living near these industrial sites means you must be careful about local soil and well water. High hazard scores indicate a serious risk to your long-term health and safety.

Nearby Superfund Sites

Site NameEPA IDDistanceNPL Status
RAILROAD SALVAGE/GRISWOLD COTTON MILL1100711010142.04 miActive
STRATHMORE MILL COMPLEX1100554930232.1 miActive
BERKSHIRE GAS COMPANY1100092904542.66 miActive

Action Required

Residents of Orange must take immediate steps to secure their living environment and explore mitigation assistance. Contact the Athol Bird And Nature Club Inc to learn about local environmental monitoring and land safety. For housing concerns or assistance regarding property safety standards near hazardous sites, contact the Valley Community Development Corporation at 413-586-5855 extension 180. Additionally, the Windham and Windsor Housing Trust is available at 802-254-4604 for guidance on regional housing resources. Proactive communication with these organizations provides necessary support for managing health risks in this critical hazard zone.

HUD Housing Counseling

Government Verified
Windham And Windsor Housing Trust
Brattleboro, MA
Valley Community Development Corporation – 413-586-5855×180
Northampton, MA

Environmental Organizations

IRS Verified
  • Athol Bird And Nature Club IncEnvironmental
  • Beyond Ktaadn IncEnvironmental
  • Buckland TrailsEnvironmental

Data Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Superfund Enterprise Management System (SEMS). Facility data from EPA Facility Registry Service (FRS). Nonprofit data from IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File. Housing counseling data from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

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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