Boston, MA (02209) – Environmental Hazard Report

ZIP: 02209

Boston, Massachusetts

Score: 10/10

The Adams Cleaners site is a serious danger to the Boston area, resulting in a critical 10.0 hazard score. While the site is 8.2 miles away, unspecified hazardous substances from past dry cleaning can seep into the ground and water. These chemicals often move through the soil and can enter the air inside nearby buildings. For daily life, this means the environment is not as safe as it should be, and residents must stay alert to local pollution levels.

Hazard Data Summary

Hazard Score
10/10
Risk Level
Critical
Primary Contaminant
Unspecified Hazardous Substances
Nearest Superfund Site
ADAMS CLEANERS (FORMER)
Distance to Nearest
8.2 mi
Sites Within 5 Miles
0
Sites Within 10 Miles
26
County
Suffolk
NPL Status
Active

Regulatory Overview

The 02209 ZIP code area of Boston, Massachusetts, operates under a critical environmental hazard designation due to the density of regional industrial contamination. While there are zero sites within a five-mile radius, twenty-six facilities are located within ten miles. The primary focal point is the Adams Cleaners (Former) site, situated 8.2 miles away. Under United States Environmental Protection Agency oversight, this facility holds an active National Priorities List status, indicating that long-term remediation and site cleanup efforts remain ongoing.

Regulatory records document the presence of unspecified hazardous substances associated with historical commercial operations. Environmental pollutants from such legacy sites typically include volatile organic compounds and industrial solvents that migrate via groundwater channels and soil vapor intrusion. Chronic exposure to these migrating chemical compounds can compromise respiratory function, cause central nervous system toxicity, and elevate the risk of chronic cellular mutations. Additional regional exposure risks stem from nearby active facilities like the South Boston Naval Annex and the US Army Reserve 99th Regional Support Command.

To protect household health against these systemic risks, residents must implement immediate environmental controls. Occupants should install activated carbon air filtration systems in lower residential levels to intercept potential soil vapor intrusion. Homeowners must also commission independent, certified laboratory testing of their domestic water supply to detect trace volatile organic compounds. Furthermore, residents should integrate point-of-use reverse osmosis filtration systems for all drinking and cooking water to eliminate ingestion risks associated with municipal water vulnerabilities linked to these regional superfund activities.

Threat Summary

The Adams Cleaners site is a serious danger to the Boston area, resulting in a critical 10.0 hazard score. While the site is 8.2 miles away, unspecified hazardous substances from past dry cleaning can seep into the ground and water. These chemicals often move through the soil and can enter the air inside nearby buildings. For daily life, this means the environment is not as safe as it should be, and residents must stay alert to local pollution levels.

Nearby Superfund Sites

Site NameEPA IDDistanceNPL Status
SOUTH BOSTON NAVAL ANNEX1100093372175.64 miActive
US ARMY RESERVE 99TH REGIONAL SUPPORT CO1100019508266.23 miActive
FORBES LITHOGRAPHIC CO (FORMER)1100092900436.35 miActive
COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY1100712413646.43 miActive
US POSTAL SERVICE VMF1100213560856.85 miActive
US COAST GUARD INTEGRATED SUPPORT CMND1100008466576.95 miActive
HY-SIL MANUFACTURING1100092905337.03 miActive
SUFFOLK SERVICES INC1100034347397.07 miActive
TOWN RIVER/BENT TERRACE1100715448047.22 miActive
DEWEY DAGGET LANDFILL1100093371917.24 miActive

Action Required

Residents must take immediate steps to secure their living environment against these critical hazards. Contact the Neighborhood of Affordable Housing in East Boston at 617-567-5882 for assistance with housing safety and environmental justice issues. Additionally, the Quincy Community Action Programs can be reached at 617-479-8181 for resource allocation and support. Engaging with local nonprofits like the 350 Org Action Fund or the Community Outreach Group Inc provides a platform for community advocacy. Seek professional environmental assessments if you live near the Adams Cleaners site or the other industrial locations identified in this report.

HUD Housing Counseling

Government Verified
Quincy Community Action Programs, Inc.
Quincy, MA
Neighborhood Of Affordable Housing, Inc.
East Boston, MA

Environmental Organizations

IRS Verified
  • 350 Org Action FundEnvironmental
  • Community Outreach Group IncEnvironmental
  • Eco-logic Development FundEnvironmental

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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