ZIP: 01931

Gloucester, Massachusetts

Score: 10/10

Gloucester faces a critical environmental hazard score of 10.0. The Branch Lane Mercury Release is the primary Superfund site nearby. While specific substances are listed as unspecified hazardous materials, mercury is a major threat to public safety. In daily life, these contaminants can seep into the soil and water. This means residents should be cautious about local gardening or playing in areas with industrial history. Protecting your health requires staying away from restricted sites to avoid contact with dangerous chemicals.

Hazard Data Summary

Hazard Score

10/10

Risk Level

Critical

Primary Contaminant

Unspecified Hazardous Substances

Nearest Superfund Site

BRANCH LANE MERCURY RELEASE

Distance to Nearest

5.0 mi

Sites Within 5 Miles

Sites Within 10 Miles

County

Essex

NPL Status

Active

Regulatory Overview

The Gloucester, Massachusetts area (ZIP 01931) currently holds a critical hazard designation due to concentrated industrial contamination. Within a ten-mile radius, twenty-five environmental hazard sites actively impact the region, with seven located within just five miles. The most significant concern is the Branch Lane Mercury Release site, located five miles away. Although the EPA lists the primary contaminants generally as unspecified hazardous substances, historical data and site nomenclature indicate mercury exposure is a primary risk factor. Mercury and associated industrial chemicals can leach into groundwater aquifers and volatilize into soil vapor, potentially causing neurological impairment, developmental issues in children, and chronic respiratory problems. Other nearby active hazard zones contributing to the regional environmental burden include the Vitale Flyash Pit, Casco Chemical, and Varian.

The Branch Lane Mercury Release site and surrounding facilities remain in active National Priorities List cleanup stages. This means the Environmental Protection Agency continues to monitor contamination plumes, conduct site remediation, and assess ongoing ecological damage, indicating that the threat to local municipal and private environmental resources is not yet resolved. Due to the active status of these sites, residents should immediately implement protective measures. Individuals utilizing private wells must conduct annual water testing specifically targeting heavy metals and volatile organic compounds. Residents should install certified reverse osmosis filtration systems for all potable water sources within the home. Finally, households located near these industrial perimeters should utilize HEPA-grade indoor air purifiers to mitigate potential vapor intrusion from shifting soil contaminants.

Threat Summary

Nearby Superfund Sites

Site Name	EPA ID	Distance	NPL Status
VITALE FLYASH PIT	110009290445	3.6 mi	Active
CASCO CHEMICAL	110009325453	3.78 mi	Active
FILTEK PROPERTY	110024350833	3.78 mi	Active
VARIAN	110017384212	4.52 mi	Active
LT JOHN A. FERRA US ARMY RESERVE CENTER	110071100329	4.55 mi	Active
OMEGA LABORATORIES	110071100416	4.73 mi	Active
BRANCH LANE MERCURY RELEASE	110071231831	4.96 mi	Active
U S M MACHINERY DIV	110009289242	5.49 mi	Active
SOUTHERN AVE/COMMERCIAL PROPERTY	110071101011	5.5 mi	Active
CREESE & COOK CO. (FORMER) 2	110040752094	6.09 mi	Active

Action Required

Residents seeking to mitigate environmental risks should contact the All Hands Alliance for local advocacy and environmental information. For those concerned about property safety and healthy living environments, the Neighborhood of Affordable Housing, Inc. in East Boston provides essential support. You can reach them at 617-567-5882 to discuss housing-related safety measures and resource availability. Additionally, the Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership in Lowell is available at 978-459-8490 for guidance on secure residential options. Taking these steps helps ensure your family lives in a space that is protected from regional industrial contaminants.

HUD Housing Counseling

Government Verified

Neighborhood Of Affordable Housing, Inc.

East Boston, MA

Call 617-567-5882 HUD Listing

Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership

Lowell, MA

Call 978-459-8490 HUD Listing

Environmental 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.