Land in downtown Algonquin could be contaminated

Land in downtown Algonquin could be contaminated, officials say.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Illinois Department of Transportation officials have found "higher than normal levels" of certain types of volatile organic compounds east of the abandoned Toastmaster factory on Washington Street.

According to a joint news release by the IEPA, IDOT and village of Algonquin, no health risks have yet been identified for residents living in the area. The village's water system is not affected, and no private wells are believed to be in the area.

But the IEPA and the Illinois Department of Health plan to meet with home and business owners in the coming weeks to discuss more testing and possible remedies.

The agencies discovered the elevated levels when they were taking soil and groundwater tests for construction of the Western Bypass, which is being built to alleviate congestion at Routes 62 and 31.

Volatile organic compounds can be found in building and home products, and according to the IEPA, can pose a number of health risks.

Officials believe the Toastmaster factory, which in addition to toasters, produced irons and shell casings during wartime, is the source of the toxic compounds.

Surrounding the factory are a number of homes, as well as the Prairie Trail bike path.

Village President John Schmitt said village officials were presented with the findings last week.

IEPA officials, he said, told him that it's too early to do anything other than keep residents informed.

"It's difficult to tell anybody not to be concerned about it. But we at the same time we're not concerned to the point where it's, 'Oh my God, what are we going to do?' I think the role we have is communicating to our residents as soon as we find out our information."