By Pamela McLoughlin
Register Staff
MILFORD — Contaminated groundwater at a parcel that once housed the Connecticut Aerosols company will be cleaned up using environmentally friendly techniques that involve using microorganisms to destroy the pollutants.
The Health Department is working with the state Department of Environmental Protection and property owner AIG Investments to fix the problem at 65-145 Furniture Row, off New Haven Avenue.
The 12-acre parcel has an industrial warehouse and garage.
An evaluation at the site determined groundwater under the westerly portion of the warehouse is contaminated with chlorinated solvents.
Neighbors, including other businesses, were not affected by the contamination, officials said.
"We do not anticipate any exposure to residents or surrounding properties," health director Dr. CQ A. Dennis McBride said.
"The processes involved here rely on biological processes that appear to offer no threat to human health, wildlife or the environment."
The technology using microorganisms is still considered innovative, McBride said, but has been safely used in the state and around the country.
Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr. stressed that the city and state will take every measure to protect residents and will inspect the site often.