Beverly, Massachusetts
The Ash Street Tannery Superfund site poses a critical threat to Beverly residents. This location is contaminated with mercury, a dangerous heavy metal. Mercury does not go away on its own and can enter the local environment through soil and water. For your daily life, this means you must be careful about touching dirt near old industrial sites or eating local fish. High exposure can hurt your brain and kidneys. Stay away from restricted areas to keep your family safe.
Hazard Data Summary
Regulatory Overview
The primary contaminant of concern across this sector is mercury, a highly toxic heavy metal. Environmental mercury exposure typically occurs through contaminated soil contact, groundwater infiltration, or vapor inhalation. Prolonged exposure to mercury severely targets the central nervous system, causing neurological damage, cognitive impairments, kidney dysfunction, and developmental risks for children and fetuses.
The Ash Street Tannery (Former) maintains an active status on the National Priorities List, indicating that comprehensive federal cleanup, remedial investigation, and site remediation efforts are ongoing but incomplete. Several neighboring sites also remain classified as active under EPA regulatory monitoring.
Given the active nature of these heavy metal releases, residents should take immediate localized precautions. Individuals must test private residential well water annually for heavy metal contamination using certified environmental laboratories. Residents should also install NSF-certified reverse osmosis water filtration systems capable of extracting heavy metals from drinking water. Finally, households must avoid cultivating root vegetables in untreated native soil, instead utilizing raised garden beds filled with imported, verified clean topsoil.
Threat Summary
The Ash Street Tannery Superfund site poses a critical threat to Beverly residents. This location is contaminated with mercury, a dangerous heavy metal. Mercury does not go away on its own and can enter the local environment through soil and water. For your daily life, this means you must be careful about touching dirt near old industrial sites or eating local fish. High exposure can hurt your brain and kidneys. Stay away from restricted areas to keep your family safe.
Nearby Superfund Sites
| Site Name | EPA ID | Distance | NPL Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRANCH LANE MERCURY RELEASE | 110071231831 | 0.82 mi | Active |
| VARIAN | 110017384212 | 1.37 mi | Active |
| U S M MACHINERY DIV | 110009289242 | 1.8 mi | Active |
| BOSTON GAS SALEM LNG | 110071100624 | 2.72 mi | Active |
| VITALE FLYASH PIT | 110009290445 | 3.15 mi | Active |
| CASCO CHEMICAL | 110009325453 | 3.25 mi | Active |
| FILTEK PROPERTY | 110024350833 | 3.25 mi | Active |
| DANVERSPORT EXPLOSION | 110071099844 | 3.61 mi | Active |
| CREESE & COOK CO. (FORMER) 2 | 110040752094 | 3.72 mi | Active |
| CREESE & COOK TANNERY (FORMER) | 110046479422 | 3.8 mi | Active |
Action Required
Immediate action is required to address housing safety and environmental health. Contact the All Hands Alliance for local environmental advocacy and resources. For assistance with housing safety and environmental remediation support, reach out to the Neighborhood of Affordable Housing, Inc. in East Boston at 617-567-5882. You may also contact Quincy Community Action Programs, Inc. at 617-479-8181 for guidance on emergency assistance programs. These organizations provide the necessary tools to navigate living in a high-risk zone and help ensure your residence meets safety standards despite the critical hazard score in Beverly.
HUD Housing Counseling
Government VerifiedEnvironmental Organizations
IRS Verified- All Hands AllianceEnvironmental
- Alternative Fuel Foundation IncEnvironmental
- Amesbury Hospital Charitable TrustEnvironmental
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.