Mar 20, 2008 11:45 am US/Central
Toxic Vapors Found In Buildings In St. Louis Park
(WCCO)
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The EPA found that 11 homes and 3 buildings had elevated vapor levels that were actually getting inside the structures.
AP
The Environmental Protection Agency went on a hunt for potentially dangerous vapors in one Twin Cities' community.
They found what they were looking for -- high levels of the toxic vapors were found in 14 homes and buildings in St. Louis Park.
The EPA tested about 214 properties in St. Louis Park for elevated vapor levels.
When talking about vapors, the EPA means the volatile organic compounds or chemicals you might see in oven cleaners.
The EPA found that 11 homes and 3 buildings had elevated vapor levels that were actually getting inside the structures.
To help, EPA officials are going to put in a vapor mitigation system in the buildings.
That involves putting pipes below the building so the vapors will release in the air instead of inside the structure.
The agency has offered the same deal to 26 other home owners who have elevated vapors below their houses.
The big question now will be what caused these vapors?
"We might never know where the contaminates came from, but weather depending, in April, we will conduct a full blown ground water and soil vapor investigation with the cooperation of all the local agencies," said Sonia Vega, from the Environmental Protection Agency.
The EPA said the level of vapors is not high enough to make anyone seriously ill.
Over time though it could be a problem and the EPA doesn't know exactly how long this has been an issue.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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