Toxic Fumes Hit Google’s Mountain View Offices

A new test shows there’s definitely something in the water at Google. And it’s toxins, to be exact.

Levels of a toxic solvent known as trichloroethylene (TCE) were detected in two offices at Google’s Mountain View headquarters. The fumes are suspected to be the result of toxic solvent dumped by previous tenants of the building, according to a CBS report. The toxins contaminated the groundwater.

TCE levels at the property measured eight micrograms per cubic meter. The EPA’s standard for indoor screening levels is five micrograms per cubic meter, according to the EPA’s website.

Before Google moved into the buildings, various chip makers, including Fairchild SemiConductor and Intel, worked out of the office spaces, CBS reports. The companies allegedly dumped toxic solvents into the ground.

Though the office TCE are tested regularly, this was the first year TCE vapors failed to meet the EPA’s standards. Some blame Google’s building modifications, which created pathways through floors and spread the vapors.

TCE can cause health problems such as dizziness and headaches. It has also been linked to liver cancer. Fortunately, Google employees are not at risk for these illnesses.

“The potential health concern is long-term exposure to TCE,” EPA Project Manager Alana Lee told the Mountain View Voice. “Any exposure would have been for a limited time, a short term. There hasn’t been any exposure for a long period of time.”

Google is addressing the issue through ventilation systems and carbon filters, according to a spokesperson. The company is open to ideas for having the ground water cleaned up.

“We’d welcome and expect all the original parties involved to continue to innovate in finding new and improved science for removing this and all chemicals from our groundwater throughout the country,” a Google spokesperson told the Mountain View Voice.