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News Release
March 27, 2001

Camp Edwards, MA — The Impact Area Groundwater Study Program (IAGWSP), led by the National Guard Bureau, has been working on an investigation and cleanup of the upper 15,000 acres at Camp Edwards on the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR) since 1997. Working in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP), IAGWSP makes it a policy to inform the public of advances in the cleanup as well as significant detections of contaminants in the soil or groundwater.

Recent sampling and analysis of groundwater monitoring wells as part of the IAGWSP detected perchlorate in monitoring well 90MW0054. The non-validated detection of perchlorate occurred outside of the MMR boundary south of the "J" Ranges and north of Snake Pond. The monitoring well location is illustrated on the attached map.

At present, neither EPA nor the MADEP have established maximum contaminant levels or health advisories for perchlorate. The detected concentration is within the safe exposure level established by EPA of 4 to 18 parts per billion (ppb) in drinking water.

This detection is not in the immediate vicinity of any public water supply and does not present an immediate health risk.

Background
Perchlorate can exist as a contaminant in the environment from the solid salts of ammonium, potassium or sodium perchlorate. Ammonium and potassium perchlorate are used in solid propellants for rockets, missiles and fireworks, in addition to being used in other munitions.

Perchlorate has a relatively high solubility, which can allow it to migrate quickly to the water table. Perchlorate does not readily break down in the environment and can persist for many decades. No existing water supplies are affected by the detections of perchlorate in groundwater.

The National Guard Bureau and the regulatory agencies are awaiting additional monitoring well results and will take the necessary steps to identify the nature and extent of perchlorate in the groundwater. Detailed information on perchlorate can be found on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/ccl/perchlorate/perchlorate.html. To speak with someone at the MMR about perchlorate, please call the Impact Area Groundwater Study Program at 508-968-5821.

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