The Tutor Time facility on Herricks Road has closed its doors due to controversy stemming from its location next to the Jackson Steel Superfund site.

Air quality tests were taken at the facility, beginning in November, which showed high enough level of PCE (tetrachloroethene), a compound that could be dangerous, to warrant interference from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The EPA mandated a new air filtration system be installed at the Tutor Time, which reduced the PCE levels significantly. In addition, the EPA installed a sub-slab ventilation system under the concrete slab of the Tutor Time building to prevent any contaminants present in the soil and groundwater under the building from entering the building.

However, due to the media attention, the testing that is continuing to take place at the Jackson Steel facility and the decreased enrollment in the Mineola Tutor Time, the Tutor Time corporation decided to close the doors on April 26.

However, even with the Mineola Tutor Time closed, the issue is not. The New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) is trying to contact employees who may have been exposed to perchloroethylene (PERC) or PCE at the Mineola Tutor Time and invite them to enroll in the Volatile Organic Exposure Registry.

The NYS DOH would like parents of children who attended Tutor Time prior to December 2001 to participate in the registry. Anyone with questions regarding participation can call 1-800-458-1158 ext. 27950.