City directors in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to hold meetings to discuss groundwater contamination at site of former Whirlpool factory

Nevin Barich

FORT SMITH, Arkansas , October 8, 2013 (Associated Press) – FORT SMITH CITY DIRECTORS TO HOLD PAIR OF MEETINGS TO DISCUSS POLLUTION AT EX-WHIRLPOOL SITE

Fort Smith city directors are to hold a pair of meetings to discuss groundwater contamination at the site of a former Whirlpool Corp. factory.

The sessions are set for Tuesday, and state environmental officials and Whirlpool representatives are expected to attend.

The Southwest Times Record reports (http://is.gd/nbcH2o ) that groundwater beneath the plant has spread to an area that is below about 50 homes.

Officials say the site is contaminated with trichloroethylene. The Environmental Protection Agency says the chemical is linked to an increased risk of cancer.

Trichloroethylene was used at the plant as a solvent from the late 1960s into the early 1980s.

The factory, which produced refrigerators, closed last year.

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Information from: Southwest Times Record, http://www.swtimes.com/

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