Test Results Identify Substance Found At Kershaw Beach
By: WROC-TV
Updated: July 31, 2012
Test results have identified the tar-like substance found at a beach in Canandaigua that has kept it closed for over a week.
Samples of the substance were sent to chemistry professor Dr. John Hassett. Hassett's results have identified the substance as "a very old crankcase oil or lubricating oil" from vehicles from the 1920s and 30s. The oil developed into a more tar-like substance across the 80 years that it has been buried. The DEC, Department of Health and the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council plans to remove any of the remaining substance from the swimming area. They also plan to install a temporary dam to keep lake water from flowing into the contaminated area.
Kershaw Beach will remain closed through the year. The goal is to have it re-open by Memorial Day weekend 2013.
Samples of the substance were sent to chemistry professor Dr. John Hassett. Hassett's results have identified the substance as "a very old crankcase oil or lubricating oil" from vehicles from the 1920s and 30s. The oil developed into a more tar-like substance across the 80 years that it has been buried. The DEC, Department of Health and the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council plans to remove any of the remaining substance from the swimming area. They also plan to install a temporary dam to keep lake water from flowing into the contaminated area.
Kershaw Beach will remain closed through the year. The goal is to have it re-open by Memorial Day weekend 2013.
