Accessibility Resource CenterSkip to main content
About UsCareers
Support
Our Company
  • Our Company Overview
  • Who We Are Who We Are
    • Overview
    • Our Culture
    • History and Timeline
    • Headquarters & Contact Info
    • Verizon Fact Sheet
    • Leadership
  • What We Do What We Do
    • Overview
    • 5G
    • Innovation Labs
    • 4G LTE
    • Broadband & Fiber
    • Internet of Things
    • Managed Security
    • Verizon Ventures
  • How We Operate How We Operate
    • Overview
    • Code of Conduct
    • Management Governance
    • Open Internet
    • Policies
    • Retiree Information
    • State Government Affairs
 
News
  • News Center News Center
    • News Center
    • Networks & Platforms
    • Products & Plans
    • Responsible Business
    • Financial
    • Public Safety
    • Noticias
  • News Releases News Releases
    • News Releases
    • Media Contacts
    • B-roll and images
    • RSS Feeds
    • Emergency resource center
    • Verizon Fact Sheet
 
Responsibility
  • Responsibility Overview Responsibility Overview
    • Responsible Business Report
  • Digital Inclusion Digital Inclusion
    • Overview
    • Verizon Innovative Learning
    • Verizon Innovative Learning HQ
    • Small Business Program
  • Environmental Responsibility Environmental Responsibility
    • Disaster Resilience
  • Human Prosperity Human Prosperity
    • Overview
    • Reskilling Program
    • Employee Volunteers
  • Sharing our Success Sharing our Success
    • Overview
    • Giving and Grants
    • Employee Giving
  • Product Responsibility Product Responsibility
    • Overview
    • Accessibility
    • Account Security
    • Privacy Policy
  • Parenting in a Digital World Parenting in a Digital World
    • Overview
    • Digital Parenting 101
    • Young children 3-8
    • Preteens 9-12
    • Teenagers 13-18
    • By topic
    • Meet the editorial team
 
Investors
  • Investor Relations overview
  • Financial Reporting Financial Reporting
    • Overview
    • SEC Filings
    • Annual Reports
    • Quarterly Earnings
    • Stock Information
    • Dividend History
    • Tax Information
    • Fixed Income
    • Asset-backed Securitization
  • Corporate Governance Corporate Governance
    • Overview
    • Board of Directors
    • Board Committees
  • Shareowner Services Shareowner Services
    • Overview
    • Cost Basis Calculator
    • Shareowner FAQs
  • Responsible Business Reporting Responsible Business Reporting
    • Overview
  • News & Events News & Events
    • Investor Events & Webcasts
    • Investor News
    • Investor Calendar
    • Email Alerts
  • Contact Investor Relations
 
Support
About UsCareers
end of navigation menu
  1. About
  2. News
  3. Responsible Business
  4. Public Policy
  5. Verizon reports lead test results, continues to work with EPA
News Center
  1. Menu
    All News
    Networks & Platforms
    Products & Plans
    Responsible Business
    Public Safety
    Financial
    Noticias
    News Releases
    Media Contacts
    B-roll and images
    Verizon Fact Sheet
    RSS Feeds
    Emergency Resources
    Cable Facts
09/13/2023|Responsible Business|Public Policy

Verizon reports lead test results, continues to work with EPA

Download Letter (PDF)

A letter from Robert S. Fisher, SVP of Federal Government Relations at Verizon, providing an update about Verizon's lead test results.

September 11, 2023

Dear Representative Ryan,

We write to update you on the work that we have undertaken to test the Verizon sites mentioned in the Wall Street Journal articles on the use of lead-sheathed cables in the telecommunications industry. We are pleased to report that our test results at the Wappingers Falls location in your district are consistent with those found by New York State: soil lead levels near Verizon’s cable there are similar to lead levels in the surrounding area (i.e., background levels) and do not pose a public health risk to your constituents.1 Similarly, our test results in West Orange, New Jersey are also consistent with the Environmental Protection Agency’s findings in that location.2 The results are explained in more detail below, as are similar results from a third Verizon location mentioned in the articles.

We have not deployed lead-sheathed cables for decades, but their existence, both in the telecommunications industry and in the transportation and power industries, has long been known. We were skeptical of the claims in the Wall Street Journal, but took them seriously because we prioritize the health and safety of our communities and our workforce.

Recognizing the importance of a careful, scientific approach to this issue, we engaged third-party experts to develop and conduct a protocol to test the levels of lead in the soil in the vicinity of the cables highlighted by the Wall Street Journal. The protocol included collecting and testing discrete soil samples, within a set of soil sampling units. The third-party experts also used a technique to estimate average soil lead levels in the area; that technique, referred to as an incremental sampling methodology, collects multiple samples across the individual sampling units and then combines, processes, and tests the consolidated soil sample to yield estimates of the average soil lead level. Taking this extra step helps understand the soil lead level of an area in a practical sense, as the nature and weight of lead means it is not evenly distributed across a given area. This methodology provides information about lead levels across a larger area than discrete soil samples, so it provides a more reliable measure of potential human exposure.

The results of these tests for each of the three Verizon locations mentioned in the Wall Street Journal articles are summarized below:

Wappingers Falls, New York

The findings of Verizon’s investigation conducted at Wappingers Falls, New York are consistent with the New York State Department of Health’s conclusion that soil lead levels near Verizon’s cable in Temple Park are generally similar to lead levels in background samples and do not pose a public health risk. At each location tested at Wappingers Falls, the average soil lead level is lower than the residential soil lead threshold levels of 400 mg/kg set by the New York

State Department of Environmental Conservation. And at three of the four sampling units nearest to the lead sheathed cable, the average lead concentration in soil is less than or equal to background lead levels at that location.

Coal Center, Pennsylvania

Testing of the Coal Center location found that the average soil lead level is lower than the soil-to-groundwater remediation standard of 450 mg/kg and soil remediation standard of 500 mg/kg set by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. And at all five sampling units located within ten feet of lead sheathed cables, the average lead concentration in soil was within the range of background levels at this location.

West Orange, New Jersey

Testing of the West Orange, New Jersey location found that the average soil lead level is lower than the soil remediation standard of 400 mg/kg set by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The testing results also demonstrated that soil lead concentrations from 8 out of 9 incremental sampling methodology samples collected at the site are below the New Jersey soil lead remediation standard. And at all four sampling units located within 10 feet of lead sheathed cables, the average lead concentration is within the range of background levels. These results are consistent with sampling conducted at the location by the EPA, which concluded that its review of data “indicate that there are no immediate threats to the health of people nearby.”

We provided these testing results to the EPA and state environmental agencies and will continue to work closely with them to determine if further testing is required. We will continue to be guided by science and our commitment to the health and safety of our communities and workforce. We appreciate your interest in this important issue, and would be happy to discuss our efforts on it with you at your convenience.

Sincerely,


  1. https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-temple-park-will-reopen-after-comprehensive-soil-testing-reveals

  2. https://response.epa.gov/site/site_profile.aspx?site_id=16176

Related Articles

Together with Online For All, we're spreading the word about the Affordable Connectivity Program
06/14/2023
White House begins a Week of Action for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) launching “Online for All” – a joint ACP outreach initiative led by Civic Nation and the U.S. Department of Education
Verizon statement on naming of Brendan Carr as FCC Chairman
11/18/2024

Verizon congratulates FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, a champion for policy approaches for all Americans, on being named the next Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.

Whether you are raising a concern or have only a question, we want you to know it’s important to us. You are about to visit a third-party website, and the information you provide will be submitted directly to Verizon Ethics. If you have any questions about how the information you share will be used, please view our Ethics Privacy Notice.

Proceed
Services & Solutions
  • Verizon.com
  • Mobile Plans
  • Mobile Devices
  • Home Services
  • Small and Medium Business
  • Enterprise Solutions
  • Verizon Connect
  • Public Sector
  • Partner Solutions
Support
  • Mobile Online Support
  • Home Online Support
  • Contact Customer Support
  • Sign in to your Account
  • Store Locator
  • Account Security & Fraud Claims
  • Accessibility
Innovation
  • Innovation Labs
  • Verizon Ventures
Network Technologies
  • 4G LTE
  • 5G
  • Fiber Optics
  • Multi-Access Edge Compute (MEC)
Careers
  • Welcome to the #VTeamLife
  • Life at Verizon
  • Culture & Diversity
  • Search Open Roles
  • Careers Site Map
Follow Verizon News
  • twitter
  • instagram
Follow Inside Verizon
  • twitter
  • instagram
Follow Verizon Careers
  • linkedin
  • twitter
  • instagram
Follow Customer Support
  • facebook-official
  • twitter
Follow VerizonGreen
  • twitter
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Health Privacy Notice
  • Your Privacy Choices
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility
  • Open Internet
  • Important Consumer Information
  • About Our Ads
  • Site Map
© 2025 Verizon