St. Louis Park residents peppered state and federal officials with questions Thursday night about a plan to test their homes and businesses for chemical vapors.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced last week that it wants to check whether potentially hazardous fumes are seeping into 270 homes and businesses from underground. Their concerns were prompted by the discovery of volatile organic compounds used in solvents and degreasers in soil and groundwater in St. Louis Park.

More than 100 people came to the meeting, the first chance for those who live in the west metro suburb to learn more about the testing. They began the evening in one-on-one discussions with EPA and state officials, then moved on to a Powerpoint discussion about the tests.

Residents wondered whether vapors might cause health problems for them or their children.

Lissa Thomas, whose house is in the middle of the testing zone, worries about her health and that of her neighbors. Her 22-month-old daughter died in August of leukemia. "There are so many children in the neighborhood," she said

Phil Rooney of Burnsville, who owns a 1960s-style double bungalow in the area, said he's concerned about lower property values and whether his tenants might move, but he welcomes the tests. "If there's something wrong, we want to know about it."

But Mark Saba, president of Midwest Badge and Novelty Co. Inc., said he's unsure about testing for his commercial property on Republic Avenue. As a business owner, the testing would be free, but correcting the problem could cost him. The EPA will pay for mediation in residences, but not for businesses. "Call me cynical, but I don't exactly trust government," Saba said.

EPA officials explained the testing process in detail:

On Jan. 14, they'll begin drilling one small hole into the basement slab of each property owner who gives permission. A foot-long probe will be put in each hole.

Then, beginning Jan. 28, they will have a mobile lab conduct a short test at each property to determine whether there are problem vapors seeping in. In some cases they also plan to check air quality in each building.

Within a few days of the test, property owners will receive written results.

In announcing the testing, EPA officials stressed that drinking water had not been contaminated. But they said shallower water supplies may be releasing the volatile chemicals that could seep through soil and into basements.

The area is located on both sides of Hwy. 7 near Wooddale Avenue. The testing will be paid for through federal Superfund money.

State health officials have said that some of the compounds and their breakdown products, if present at high enough levels over a long enough period of time, could cause cancer or can exacerbate respiratory problems such as asthma.

Two schools in the area, St. Louis Park High and Park Spanish Immersion School, have already been tested and found to contain no chemicals of concern.

Bruce Hasselbring, owner of Ace Supply Co., a heating and air conditioning wholesaler on Edgewood Avenue, had already signed up to have his business tested.

"I've been working there for 30 years, so you wonder what you've been sitting in eight to 10 hours a day, just like the residents are wondering. I'd just as soon find out and deal with it from there."

Tom Meersman • 612-673-7388