Additional Area Containing Arsenic Found Behind Field School

Weston School Superintendent Cheryl Maloney updated parents late last week on new findings of high arsenic levels in the soil behind the Field School.

These new findings come on the heels of , when a routine sweep of the soil in preparation for the found that arsenic levels exceeded allowable state minimums.

The newest levels found were a result of further testing from the initial arsenic findings, said Maloney in a statement to parents.

The initial testing results were passed onto the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and then turned over to Green Seals, an environmental engineering firm that had been studying the same problem on the Case Estates.

"There is an additional area of arsenic contamination above the accepted levels that is adjacent to the original test pit. As a result of this finding, we expanded the fencing. Green Seals also confirmed the presence of another contaminated site, though a different pesticide (chlordane) and in a different location that is closer to the swing set. Though it is not required by DEP protocol, this area will also be cordoned off," said Maloney.

A map of the newest area is at right in PDF form.