Underground gas lake poses threat

HARTFORD, Ill. -- An underground lake of gasoline poses health threats to some residents of this Metro East industrial town and should be further studied, according to a new state report.

The Department of Public Health found high levels of benzene, toluene, xylene and other solvents in the basements of four houses during tests May 13-17, the report said.

"We consider this a very serious potential health threat," said Michael Moomey, chief of the department's toxicology section.

The report, dated July 1, also recommends residents install devices to monitor and mitigate gas fumes, as well as ones that measure the explosive levels of the fumes.

The department will soon conduct another study to determine how frequently residents smell the fumes from the 3.8 million gallon deposit, and have enlisted epidemiologists to study rates of cancer in the area, he said.

"The main concern with these chemicals is benzene, because benzene is a known human carcinogen," Moomey said.

The deposit has expanded for years from the leaks of local refineries, including one owned by Premcor Inc., said Maggie Carson, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Most of the time, the deposit is unnoticeable above ground, residents say.