New York State Center for Environmental Health Binghamton State Office Building Cleanup Files

On February 5, 1981, an intense fire near a transformer in the basement of the Binghamton State Office Building (BSOB) spread soot containing toxic PCBs throughout the entire building. Multiple cleanups of the residue and complete decontamination procedures were performed on the building which remained closed until October 11, 1994. While the initial cost of constructing the building in 1972 was $17 million, the cleanup efforts cost $53 million. The BSOB fire is considered the first indoor environmental disaster.

This series documents the effectiveness of decontamination cleanup efforts related to the complex and extensive accidental PCB contamination of the Binghamton State Office Building. Records chiefly consist of technical information and scientific analysis information. Types of records include laboratory reports, testing plans, statistical health information for employees presumed to have been exposed to dioxins during the initial incident, environmental sampling reports and assessments, and cleaning certifications. The series also contains press releases and correspondence documenting the cleanup, decontamination, and reoccupancy of the building.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.