Ward 13

"The smell will drive you crazy..."
Uretek, a polyurethane manufacturing factory that is surrounded by residential homes and schools, consistently produces noxious chemical smells - especially at night. Driving or walking by, the foul odor can be overwhelming, and even blocks away, the fumes invade. The potential "danger" of these emissions is a serious concern, compounded by the billowing black smoke recently seen billowing from the factory, as well as the company's disturbing history of air pollution.

“’The smell would drive you crazy,’ said Louis Lopez, a 44-year-old mechanic who has worked for Uretek since 1984.” In December 1986, The New York Times covered a controversial employee strike at Uretek Inc. Uretek workers walked off the job due to health and safety concerns, specifically regarding the solvent dimethylformamide, or DMF, which is used at the plant. They claimed that fumes sickened half of the 66 workers at the plant. Later, testing by Yale confirmed the damage: 36 of the tested employees had ''significant liver-function abnormalities,'' and ten were diagnosed with toxic hepatitis, findings that, according to the doctor, were ''overwhelmingly'' linked to DMF*

The workers’ health problems in 1986 were “not the first time that Uretek has been accused of wrongdoing,” according to the Times article. In 1984, the Uretek vice president John Andrews was convicted on felony charges of illegally storing and disposing of hazardous waste – making it “the first time a corporation in Connecticut had been convicted of such a criminal offense in a trial.”

The article also noted that Uretek has been cited by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection on air pollution.

Although this was many years ago, Uretek's emissions and its potential impact on the environment and people remain a very significant concern.

The DEP was notified a few years back (when the odors seemed particularly strong and noxious even blocks away). Despite Uretek’s pollution history, DEP’s response seemed disinterested. As far as we know, no air quality testing was conducted, nor any follow-up.

A health issue as serious and dangerous as this requires more than discussions or assurances from factory management. It would seem logical and imperative that thorough air quality testing be conducted (especially after hours/at night when the odors are often strongest) and that the results be made publicly available.

Does DEP receive notification of SeeClickFix concerns?

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I am writing on behalf of several concerned parents from the Elm City Montessori School. This is a new public school in New Haven with more than 100 students ages 3-8 years old who attend school 5 days a week between 7:30AM and 5:30PM.

Unfortunately, there are absolutely NO STREET SIGNS indicating that this is a school zone. There are no signs posting a reduced speed limit. There are no flashing lights for the school crossing.

I really hope that we don't have to wait for something bad to happen before the city is willing to take action on this vitally important item regarding the basic safety of our young children. Please take immediate action!!!

There are 3 abandoned cars in my parking lot with no plates on them that have been there for months and I have no where to park my car... I pay for a spot that I can't use because of these cars can someone please have them moved

Resident has not shoveled walkway.

Vehicles parked all over the yard it’s just a dump

Sidewalk cracked and crumbled. Resident request inspection

Uretek corp uses roadway for employee parking lot, loading area and break/lunch area. Employees drink beer and leave emptys and litter;this invites dumping by all.

On either side of the bridge next to the Trelleborg Coated Systems US, Inc., located in New Haven (Lenox St.), a large amount of trash has accumulated and occasionally tents have gone up. Smoke has been observed from these areas as small fires (for cooking?) are occasionally set. I have been in contact with the NH police & several city departments for over a year but nothing has been taken care of - trash continues to accumulate and tents are still occasionally seen.

Yield signs put in at round-about. Most drivers don’t seem to know how to navigate a round about. We live down the street and have witnessed multiple near accidents due to drivers not yielding to cars already in the circle.

Streets in the area was not plowed on trash pick up day, parking ban must be enforced in order to remove snow!!