ZIP: 01815

Woburn, Massachusetts

Score: 10/10

Woburn faces a critical hazard level of 10.0 due to extreme industrial contamination. The Agway/Kress Property is a primary Superfund site nearby, holding unspecified hazardous substances that threaten local safety. These contaminants can enter the air you breathe or the soil where you play. Living near ten active sites means pollutants might reach your home through groundwater or dust. You must be careful about touching dirt outside or drinking unfiltered water to avoid getting sick from these hidden chemicals.

Hazard Data Summary

Hazard Score

10/10

Risk Level

Critical

Primary Contaminant

Unspecified Hazardous Substances

Nearest Superfund Site

AGWAY/KRESS PROPERTY

Distance to Nearest

1.9 mi

Sites Within 5 Miles

Sites Within 10 Miles

County

Middlesex

NPL Status

Active

Regulatory Overview

Woburn, Massachusetts, specifically within the 01815 zip code, currently operates under a critical environmental hazard designation due to dense industrial contamination. The immediate area contains ten hazardous waste facilities within a five-mile radius, with twenty-one sites spanning ten miles. The Agway/Kress Property serves as a primary federal regulatory focus situated less than two miles from residential centers. This location, alongside the immediately adjacent Shaffer Landfill and Watertown Bemis Dump, remains on the active National Priorities List, indicating that the Environmental Protection Agency is currently executing active remediation protocols, and final containment is incomplete.

The primary environmental threats stem from unspecified hazardous substances lingering in localized soil and groundwater. Chronic exposure to these legacy industrial mixtures typically occurs through groundwater vapor intrusion or contaminated drinking water supplies. Continuous environmental contact with these unclassified toxic agents can disrupt human endocrine function, trigger acute respiratory distress, and significantly elevate long-term carcinogenic risks for local populations.

Given the active status of federal cleanup operations, residents must implement immediate environmental defensive measures. Households relying on private wells should commission independent laboratory water testing specifically targeting volatile organic compounds and industrial byproducts. Residents must install certified reverse osmosis filtration systems for all domestic potable water sources to neutralize potential ingestion risks. Finally, property owners should comprehensively seal foundation fissures and install sub-slab depressurization systems to block hazardous soil vapor from permeating residential basements. Maintaining these localized barriers is essential while federal authorities continue long-term ecological restoration efforts.

Threat Summary

Nearby Superfund Sites

Site Name	EPA ID	Distance	NPL Status
SHAFFER LANDFILL	110009349035	0.01 mi	Active
WATERTOWN BEMIS DUMP	110009337388	0.01 mi	Active
REXNORD KNIFE DIVISION	110009325104	1.24 mi	Active
W.R. GRACE & CO., INC. (ACTON PLANT)	110060542916	1.64 mi	Active
AGWAY/KRESS PROPERTY	110009290383	1.85 mi	Active
STARMET	110000309452	1.94 mi	Active
W R GRACE DARAMIC PLANT	110071100769	1.97 mi	Active
FORT DEVENS-SUDBURY TRAINING ANNEX	110009289607	2.84 mi	Active
FWS-ASSABET RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE	110070058232	3.75 mi	Active
SPERRY RESEARCH CENTER	110008406126	3.92 mi	Active

Action Required

Residents must take immediate steps to secure their living environment. Contact RCAP Solutions, Inc. at 978-630-6734 for guidance on water quality and housing safety resources. You may also reach out to Quincy Community Action Programs, Inc. at 617-479-8181 for assistance with housing stability in contaminated zones. For community-led environmental advocacy, engage with the nonprofit 3Rs 4 Us to learn about local cleanup initiatives. Document any unusual odors or health symptoms and report them to environmental authorities. Proactive communication with these agencies is essential for navigating the health challenges posed by the Agway/Kress Property.

HUD Housing Counseling

Government Verified

Rcap Solutions, Inc.

Worcester, MA

Call 978-630-6734 HUD Listing

Quincy Community Action Programs, Inc.

Quincy, MA

Call 617-479-8181 HUD Listing

Environmental Organizations

IRS Verified

3rs 4 UsEnvironmental
Afghanistan Samsortya IncEnvironmental
Andover Community Garden Association IncEnvironmental

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.