HOUSTON – Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials and Commissioner Rodney Ellis announced Tuesday the EPA’s soil test results for the Julia C. Hester House/ Solo Street Greenspace in the Greater Fifth Ward area.
The news conference was held at Hester House, a community center where EPA in February announced the finding of dioxin contamination in two soil samples.
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This was based on testing that was done as part of the Union Pacific Railroad investigation related to potential contamination from the former Houston Wood Preserving Works in the Fifth Ward.
The discovery at Hester House, operated by the Office of Commissioner Ellis to provide programs and services for adults and youth, prompted EPA to do additional testing.
During the news conference, officials said the EPA sample results were all below the EPA screening levels for dioxin.
The EPA says there is no risk to young children or anyone in the designated area behind the Hester House building and that it’s completely safe to use that space.
The Solo Street investigation has been concluded by the EPA and there will be no further testing or investigation.