More toxins found in lawns of OC homes

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (AP) A cancer-causing compound has been found in the lawns of home near the Bolsa Chica wetlands in Orange County, officials said.

Tests taken earlier this year by state toxic-substance examiners found dangerously high levels of PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, on part of an undeveloped 42-acre plot next to the residential neighborhood. Further tests have revealed the toxin but it was not immediately know at what levels.

Worried homeowners believe not only are their lives in danger but their property values as well.

``I would leave in a heartbeat, but I can't,'' said Chris Daly, who two years ago bought a $580,000 home next to a house where moderate levels of PCBs were discovered in the lawn. ``Can you imagine what this has done to the (house's) value?''

State officials said they plan on cleaning up the neighborhood but details still must be worked out.

``We've met with the property owners and subsequently done some additional sampling to characterize the nature of the contamination,'' said Thomas Cota, chief of the state Department of Toxic Substances Control Southern California cleanup operations. ``That will be used to develop a cleanup plan.''

Some residents are threatening to sue if the cleanup operations fall short of their expectations.

It isn't known how the compound, which has been banned since the 1970s, got into the lawns. Regulators speculate that it may have been illegally dumped at the site.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)