It's been only about two weeks since the news surfaced about high levels of arsenic found in soil in the area that formerly housed the Franklin Glass Co. plant. That area now includes Father Marinaro Park and the Franklin Court Apartments.

To its credit, the state Department of Environmental Protection already has made significant strides in trying to keep the public informed about developments in its investigation. DEP is making information available at the Butler Public Library at 218 N. McKean St. and via the DEP Web site at www.depweb.state.pa.us.

Meanwhile, the state Department of Health is right in its plan to conduct a health risk assessment study based on the results of DEP sampling.

A former longtime South Side resident who called the Butler Eagle after reading an editorial in the May 13 edition said her 46-year-old son, who as a child often played in the area in question, including participating in nighttime campouts along Coal Run, has severe lung problems.

She is wondering whether the arsenic contamination of the soil might have played a part in the health problem he now is experiencing.

At the time of its announcement about the arsenic situation, DEP revealed that the worst soil sample it collected came from the Coal Run area. That sample produced a reading of 1,800 parts per million (ppm).

The acceptable level of industrial exposure to arsenic is 53 ppm. Residential standards permit 12 ppm.

One of the soil samples DEP collected from the Franklin Court apartment complex in April registered about 100 ppm, and most other samples taken from that complex produced readings of 50 ppm to 100 ppm.

That there is intense public interest in the contamination issue is understandable, and residents are seeking as much information as possible, including what health precautions they should be taking now and in the future.

Exposure to arsenic has been linked to respiratory and skin irritation, and it is believed responsible for some cancers and cardiovascular disease.

Meanwhile, Father Marino Park, often a beehive of activity at this time of the year, on one evening during the past week had only one jogger at the site. Until the area gets a clean bill of health, it's understandable that some parents might be prohibiting their children from going to the park.

"As our investigation continues, we are working to expand information that is readily available to the public," said DEP regional director Kelly Burch. "That's why we have established a public document repository at the Butler Area Public Library and a Web site, to provide convenient access to records and files dealing with the investigation."

According to information from the DEP, Chris Saber, an environmental protection specialist from that department, and Gary Mechtly, DEP Environmental Group manager, will be working closely with the community on this troubling issue.

Franklin Glass Co. began operations at its South Side plant in 1887 and closed in 1955. Testing for arsenic wasn't conducted in 1955, nor were such tests conducted in the early 1970s when remains of the glass plant structures were cleared following a July 5, 1972, fire at the site.

Such tests were not required then by any government agency or organization.

According to the DEP, its efforts in the weeks ahead will focus on contamination levels and the best methods for dealing with the contamination. It's too early to tell if the investigation will expand beyond the South Side location.

Waste from the plant site reportedly was trucked to at least one other location in Butler County.

Arsenic was used to remove air bubbles from molten glass, and was a necessary component of the glass company's operation.

While in operation, the plant was a part of this area's industrial boom years, but the people who worked at the plant or who lived near it did not recognize the potential health ramifications.

Now there is cause for concern, although the appropriate level of that concern has yet to be determined.

DEP merits praise for its commitment on behalf of informing the public, not only now but in its quick announcement of its initial arsenic findings.

It can be said that no data that DEP provides in the future will be considered too much information.