FRANKLIN, Ind. (WTHR) — Franklin College officials say they're confident the campus is safe, after an extensive round of testing for dangerous vapors.
The college launched its own investigation into vapor and groundwater contamination on August 1, after reports of high levels of toxins seeping into some nearby homes.
The tests were conducted by Mundell and Associates for the Edison Wetlands Association of New Jersey, as part of an investigation into the high number of pediatric cancer cases in Franklin and Johnson County.
Franklin College is located in the heart of the city. Young’s Creek runs along the west edge of campus. Environmental reports reveal old industrial sites spilled dangerous volatile organic compounds like TCE and PCE into the groundwater near Hurricane Creek. Hurricane Creek flows into Young's Creek.
The college hired Patriot Engineering and Environmental to take multiple samples in office buildings, dorms, and outside locations including Grizzly park.
A report released Monday shows Ambient Air samples and 3-groundwater samples taken around campus came back clear.
39 air samples were taken and all but two came back clear as well.
Two office buildings, Old Main and the Andrew Dietz House, both had detections of P-C-E.
Old main showed a detection of 18.7 ug/m3, while Andrew Dietz House was a little higher at 21.2 ug/m3. Both levels are below the Indiana Department of Environmental Management Screen level for concern which is at 42 ug/m3.
Old main also showed low sub-slab detections of 5.9 ug/m3. But according to a statement from the college, no additional remediation work is being scheduled.
New students are expected to report to Franklin College on Thursday. Classes are set to begin Monday, August 27th.