Elks Plaza in Freeport named Superfund site

The state Department of Environmental Conservation has added the Elks Plaza site on Merrick Road in Freeport to its list of inactive hazardous waste disposal sites, saying that groundwater nearby presents a threat to public health.

The DEC added the mini-mall site to its Superfund Program because of contamination from a dry cleaners that once operated on the property, the agency said.

Levels of the dry cleaning solvent tetrachloroethene were found to be above acceptable levels in groundwater and soil vapor, with a potential for exposure to adjacent buildings, the DEC said.

Nassau County property records show Elks Plaza, which is across Merrick Road from Freeport Memorial Public Library, was built in 1985. The property’s owner did not immediately return phone messages Thursday.