ATLANTA — After neighbors of a former battery plant say they became sick by smells, on Thursday, Channel 2's Jade Hernandez investigated as Code Enforcement and firefighters tested the air quality in the surrounding area.
The Environmental Protection Agency and Environmental Protection Division say they cannot find anyone to clean up the lead contamination that is still in the soil.
The EPD says the building's most recent owner, Allene Avenue Redevelopment, LLC, in Illinois, walked away from the property a couple years ago, and the owner before that filed bankruptcy this summer.
Currently, the property at 1246 Allene Ave. SW is on the EPD's hazardous sites list. Federal documents indicate it was a Superfund site years ago.
Atlanta's Fire Department spokeswoman Janet Ward says she's not surprised about how difficult it is to track down building ownership. However, she says the Fire Department found no chemicals or hydrochloric acid in the air or area. Hydrochloric acid is a common byproduct of battery manufacturing.
Traquila Young noticed the number of firefighters down the block from where she lives with her 6-month-old son, but she was unaware of any issues.
The woman who initially complained to Code Enforcement is not convinced her health issues will go away.
The EPD does not know how long it will take to track down a responsible party to clean up the contaminated soil, but they are not giving up.
WSBTV
