Newton Upper Falls, MA (02464) – Environmental Hazard Report

ZIP: 02464

Newton Upper Falls, Massachusetts

Score: 10/10

Newton Upper Falls faces a critical environmental hazard score of 10.0. The nearby BLH Electronics Superfund site contains hazardous substances that require active monitoring. Living near these industrial areas means dangerous chemicals could be in the soil or groundwater. These materials can harm your health if you touch them or breathe them in over a long time. You should stay away from restricted industrial zones. High site density in this area increases the risk of cumulative toxic exposure for residents.

Hazard Data Summary

Hazard Score
10/10
Risk Level
Critical
Primary Contaminant
Unspecified Hazardous Substances
Nearest Superfund Site
BLH ELECTRONICS
Distance to Nearest
2.7 mi
Sites Within 5 Miles
8
Sites Within 10 Miles
53
County
Middlesex
NPL Status
Active

Regulatory Overview

Newton Upper Falls, Massachusetts, carries a critical environmental hazard designation due to extensive industrial contamination throughout the immediate vicinity. The area is heavily impacted by 53 monitored environmental sites within a ten-mile radius, including eight facilities within just five miles. The most significant regulatory concern is BLH Electronics, an active EPA Superfund site located 2.7 miles from the 02464 zip code. This facility, along with nearby active hazardous sites like the Former Waltham Industrial Labs Facility and Watertown MGP, currently remains under active environmental remediation and monitoring on the National Priorities List.

Environmental agencies classify the primary threats at BLH Electronics and the surrounding facilities as unspecified hazardous substances. In historically industrialized corridors, these substance classifications typically encompass highly volatile organic compounds, industrial heavy metals, and legacy chemical solvents. Prolonged human exposure to such industrial contaminants through subsurface vapor intrusion, direct soil contact, or municipal groundwater consumption can significantly elevate physiological risks for respiratory damage, neurological degradation, and cumulative developmental complications in vulnerable local populations.

Given the extreme density of active contamination zones, residents should implement strict exposure mitigation protocols immediately to protect household health. Homeowners should install certified HEPA and activated carbon air filtration systems to neutralize potential chemical vapor intrusion from soil off-gassing. Residents should utilize point-of-use reverse osmosis water filters for all drinking and cooking water to intercept migrating groundwater pollutants. Finally, households should commission professional independent soil testing before initiating any outdoor agricultural or landscaping projects to prevent direct dermal contact with legacy ground contaminants.

Threat Summary

Newton Upper Falls faces a critical environmental hazard score of 10.0. The nearby BLH Electronics Superfund site contains hazardous substances that require active monitoring. Living near these industrial areas means dangerous chemicals could be in the soil or groundwater. These materials can harm your health if you touch them or breathe them in over a long time. You should stay away from restricted industrial zones. High site density in this area increases the risk of cumulative toxic exposure for residents.

Nearby Superfund Sites

Site NameEPA IDDistanceNPL Status
FORMER WALTHAM INDUSTRIAL LABS FACILITY1100092893311.1 miActive
DUFFY BROS CONSTRUCTION INC1100068166501.74 miActive
WATERTOWN MGP1100711005751.93 miActive
BLH ELECTRONICS1100065020072.72 miActive
MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY (USARMY)1100711008442.87 miActive
HEWLETT PACKARD1100008812433.14 miActive
WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORP1100084029414.17 miActive
MICROWAVE DEVELOPMENT1100083994384.89 miActive
CONWAY PARK1100706052895.97 miActive
PAINTSHOP POND1100093253556.24 miActive

Action Required

Residents of Newton Upper Falls must take immediate steps to secure their living environment against these critical hazards. Contact Alus America Inc to learn more about local environmental advocacy and land safety initiatives. For those concerned about housing safety and environmental justice, reach out to Quincy Community Action Programs, Inc. at 617-479-8181. Alternatively, the Neighborhood of Affordable Housing, Inc. in East Boston provides resources for residents in high-risk areas and can be reached at 617-567-5882. Seeking professional guidance on soil testing and indoor air quality is the most effective way to manage these risks.

HUD Housing Counseling

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

Environmental Organizations

IRS Verified
  • Alus America IncEnvironmental
  • Anaphero Collective FoundationEnvironmental
  • Arlington Land Trust 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.

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