The chemical found in the well of Jim and Polly Edens, at 303 W. Colonial Drive, is the same chemical found in 1993 in water samples from the Dick Alexander well at 203 Spring Drive.

The state Department of Transportation paid to have the Alexanders switched to Salisbury water after the solvent was found during testing around the former Rea asphalt plant at 1815 Jake Alexander Blvd. The Department of Transportation also operated an asphalt-testing laboratory.

Department of Transportation officials maintain that while several chlorinated solvents were used in the lab and at dozens of others across the state, they never used tetrachloroethene.

Federal environmental officials also point out that tetrachloroethene, a suspected carcinogen, is one of the most abundant environmental pollutants in groundwater across the nation. Also known industrially as perchloroethylene (PCE), it is considered a good solvent used to clean machinery, electronic parts and clothing.