DATE: Wednesday, September 17, 1997         TAG: 9709170633

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: PUBLIC LIFE 

                                            LENGTH:   26 lines

UPDATE: CLEANUP BEGINS AT GAS SITE

In the spring of 1996, several hundred gallons of an industrial chemical used to give natural gas its offensive odor got loose at the Virginia Natural Gas site off Military Highway and Interstate 464. Neighbors and motorists noticed the stench and a lot of mysterious activity as the utility sought to clean it up. But city officials were not notified of the spill for more than a year. Now the utility is back in the area digging up more dirt and releasing more odors.

CHESAPEAKE

The clean-up of between 200 to 400 gallons of mercaptan has begun again at the Virginia Natural Gas site at Military Highway and Interstate 464.

Officials from the state Department of Environmental Quality said last week that VNG had begun clean up of the site again after traces of mercaptan had leeched across Military Highway and into a retaining pond by the interstate. Long exposure to mercaptan can be harmful, according to industry information. DEQ officials have said levels of mercaptan were safe, based on VNG's test results.

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu