Preliminary tests showed the presence of polychlorinated biphenyl and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
PRINCETON -- Construction of the 280-unit AvalonBay project in Princeton has screeched to a halt after the presence of toxic chemicals was found on site, town officials announced this week.
AvalonBay, which cleared the former University Medical Center to make way for housing, has covered stockpiles of materials with plastic sheeting and is wetting down the area daily for dust control until additional test results are reviewed.
In likely anticipation of removing excess materials from the site, the developer conducted preliminary tests, which showed the presence of polychlorinated biphenyl, or PCBs, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs.
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PCBs were widely used in construction materials and electrical products in many buildings until they were banned in 1979, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. In high doses, they have been shown to cause cancer in animals and are listed as a probable human carcinogen.
Meanwhile, PAHs, a form of pollution caused by burning gasoline, coal and garbage, have been shown to cause tumors in laboratory animals, the EPA says.
AvalonBay took additional samples and the results are expected within two weeks, officials said.
"Until the results of AvalonBay's secondary testing are received and reviewed, the municipality will not speculate about the conditions of the stockpiled materials," the town stated. "Princeton will, however, monitor the site daily to ensure that until such time as more information is available, AvalonBay continues to keep the stockpiled materials covered and continues to wet down the site for dust control."
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.