After finalizing a contract with the city Wednesday, the environmental firm charged with monitoring the presence of hydrogen sulfide has begun preliminary tests of ambient air around the island.
Scientists from the firm, ENVIRON, have spent their energies this week scoping out spots to gather background air samples, the measuring stick by which they will compare samples from construction locations on the island. As of Thursday at deadline, no results were available from ENVIRON.
More intensive monitoring is expected to begin next week.
The testing is expected to last 60 to 90 days, and come at a cost of $58,000. The city previously discussed passing off the expense to residents of the sewer districts under construction, but City Council member Terri DiSciullo raised a question Tuesday night of whether the city could oblige contractor Quality Enterprises to cover the cost.
City Attorney Alan Gabriel said that would be contingent upon any finding that the hydrogen sulfide is, in fact presenting a hazard to residents’ health.
“All of the evidence I’ve seen so far shows that it is not a hazardous substance,” Gabriel said. “If it is shown to be, you could reach out to the contractor at that point to deal with it.”
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