The Hidden Lane Landfill, a closed landfill in Sterling, VA has been added to a federal registry of the nation’s most hazardous waste sites. Trichloroethylene, an agent linked to several types of cancer, has contaminated nearby residential wells in the Broad Run Farms subdivision.

The liquid solvent, known as TCE, is commonly used to de-grease metal was first detected in two wells in the adjacent Broad Run Farms subdivision in 1989, officials said. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency added the 25-acre Hidden Lane Landfill in Sterling to its National Priorities List of Superfund sites.

The designation means the agency will begin assessing the extent of the pollution and develop a plan to remove it, although it could take several years for the cleanup to be completed, said Roy Seneca, an EPA spokesman.

Since the contamination became well known, several residents have informed county officials of medical problems, including various types of cancer, said David Goodfriend, director of Loudoun’s Health Department. They are concerned that the contaminated water might have caused the conditions, he said. Source: Washington Post (Thursday, March 20, 2008)

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