LATEST CONTAMINATION REPORTS
Samples of surface water, groundwater and soil collected from Dummer Yard by Sanborn Head & Associates between October and November 2025 revealed dangerous levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds, as well as hazardous concentrations of certain heavy metals.
Surface Water
| Contaminant | Concentration Exceeds Standards |
|---|---|
| PFAS | 38x |
| PAHs | 14,167x |
| Iron | 37x |
| Manganese | 40x |
| Zinc | 3x |
| Alkalinity | 4x |
| Chloride | 2x |
| Cyanide | 14x |
| Arsenic | 8x |
| Copper | 8x |
Groundwater
| Contaminant | Concentration Exceeds Standards |
|---|---|
| PFAS | Up to 193x |
| PAHs | Up to 5,300x |
| Manganese | 63x |
| Arsenic | 4x |
| Cadmium | 3x |
| 1,4 - Dioxane | 4x |
- Exposure to PFAS chemicals can lead to decreased fertility and reproductive challenges, as well as an increased risk of developing prostate, kidney and testicular cancers. So-called “forever chemicals,” PFAS compounds are known for their ability to withstand environmental degradation.
- Long-term PAH exposure can lead to increased risk of developing different types of cancer and fetal development complications. PAH chemicals are a class of organic compounds that are produced by the incomplete combustion of organic matter. Exposure commonly occurs by inhaling contaminated dust, or air, as well as by ingesting contaminated food or water.
- The overconsumption of, or exposure to metals such as manganese, arsenic, iron, sodium, potassium, cadmium and mercury can lead to a slew of health complications, including neurological and cognitive impairments, kidney and liver damage, cardiovascular dysfunction, developmental delays in children and an increased likelihood to develop cancer.
Click here to read the full report of the contamination findings.
Site History
The former Dummer Yard Landfill’s history spans more than a century of pulp and papermaking waste disposal. However, since the local papermills filed for bankruptcy in 2002, the site has been abandoned, left without proper maintenance or environmental safeguards. The previous owner’s maintenance fund has been depleted, and local property taxes have not been collected in over a decade.
The property’s poorly protected and contaminated disposal areas were never properly capped, enduring more than 20 years of exposure to stormwater that has left a legacy of deterioration to groundwater quality and to the gas and leachate management systems. In its current condition, the former Dummer Yard landfill is an environmental liability.
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