The proposed fairgrounds racetrack isn’t just a bad idea—it’s a public health disaster waiting to happen. The entire site sits on the Mechanic Street Landfill, a hazardous waste zone with decades of contamination. Official state reports reveal:

• Benzene contamination above legal drinking water limits for multiple years (2023-11-14 Mechanic Street LF Q3 2023 EMR.pdf).
• Methane gas exceedances up to 346% of the explosive limit—posing a major public safety hazard (2024.10.14 MCL Exceedance Notification – Leominster Landfill.pdf).
• State DEP reports requiring corrective action that has been ignored (2024-07-01 Mechanic Street LF Q2 2024 LFG.pdf).
• Soil, groundwater, and air quality risks that could worsen with excavation and construction (2022-12-05 Leominster Mechanic St GWSWgas 39424.pdf).

What is Benzene?

Benzene is a highly toxic, flammable chemical found in crude oil and industrial waste. It has been dumped in the Leominster Mechanic Street Landfill for decades (in quantity) largely due to our pastime of industrial processes used to make plastics, resins, and nylon and synthetic fibers. And it has been contaminating groundwater and aquifers for decades. DEP testing has consistently shown benzene levels already regularly exceeding safety thresholds.

Health Risks of Benzene Exposure:

• Inhalation: Drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, irregular heartbeat, tremors, unconsciousness, and death at high levels.
• Ingestion: Vomiting, stomach irritation, convulsions, and severe nervous system toxicity.

What is Dioxane?

Dioxane (1,4-dioxane) is a cancer-causing industrial solvent used in chemical manufacturing, adhesives, and cleaning products. The landfill has a history of dioxane contamination, raising serious health concerns.

Health Risks of Dioxane Exposure:

• Carcinogenic – Linked to liver, kidney, and nasal cancers.
• Organ Damage – High exposure can cause severe liver and kidney failure.
• Exposure Sources – Found in contaminated drinking water, airborne vapors, and direct skin contact.

The City’s Dangerous Gamble

A toxic landfill. Cancer-causing chemicals. Explosive gas exceedances. And instead of fixing these dangers, city officials want to bury them under a racetrack and event venue—gambling with public health instead of protecting it.

They’re not solving the contamination problem. They’re hiding it under a layer of grass and PR spin.

This isn’t just about horse racing—this is about endangering families, poisoning groundwater, and ignoring state safety orders.

Before the first race is even run, the real losers will be the people of Leominster if this goes through. Contact your city councilors and the mayor and demand mitigation NOT a marketed “revitalization” bait-and-switch project.