EPA finds cancer-causing chemicals outside closed industrial plant, more testing to happen

FRANKLIN, Ind (WISH) — The EPA said dangerous toxins have not been contained inside a long-closed industrial site in Franklin. Now, more tests are underway to see if 30 homes could be affected.

The EPA hosted a meeting to give an update to the community on what is happening.

For years people in Franklin have wondered why so many, especially children, have developed rare cancers.

They believe it could come from industrial plants with dangerous chemicals leaking off site, putting the community in grave danger. There’s never been anything scientifically linking that.

Now, more questions loom as more tests will happen.

Back in August, the EPA said they needed to investigate if toxic chemicals had leaked out of a long-closed industrial site, which the EPA thought was contained back in the 1990s.

Cancer causing toxins were found south of the Amphenol plant, contaminating soil deep in the ground along Forsythe and Hamilton streets. The EPA reported there was concern about some of the groundwater in that area, but no one drinks or uses it. 

The EPA also said it’s the area around the sewers on Hamilton and Forsythe streets that has the contamination.Franklin has had a lot of work done to reline sewers. Mayor Steve Barnett said there hasn’t been any work on the sewers in the area along Forsythe and Hamilton.

The question now: are people at risk?

Vapor intrusion is when chemicals can basically rise from underground and seep into people’s homes through cracks in the basement or the foundation. The EPA is testing those 30 homes to see if there is a risk these cancer-causing chemicals entered any of the homes. 

On Wednesday night, the EPA broke down all the new developments and the next steps for concerned residents. Some residents told News 8 they were pleased with the latest updates, but that they want more testing than the 30 homes.