The company drew the most fire for what neighbors said was its unwillingness to explain exactly what chemicals were in the dump. "I just want to see some facts. I want to see results that show that it's safe to start digging," said Toxic Alert Coalition member Wendy L. Baruch.

But Grace environment specialist Mark Stoler answered that it would be in the company's own best interest to find out what is underground before it developed the site, because the company might be liable later on for heavy damages.

He added that test results were on public file with the Cambridge Conservation Commission (CCC) and the state Department of Environmental Quality Engineering (DEQE).

But Baruch and others said the Conservation Commission did not have the tests and that they had been unable to get anything out of DEQE because of the paperwork and backup there.

Residents then repeatedly asked Grace officials if they would provide the results themselves. The spokesmen agreed, which seemed to satisfy the neighbors to some extent.

Another major concern voiced by those attending the meeting was the possibility that chemicals had entered the subsurface water flowing towards nearby housing. Some residents said they had seepage in their basements and did not know what the water brought into their homes.

NCTAC Member John T. O'Connor later called the presentation "very slick" and said his coalition would try to pressure Grace into testing more of the area and releasing all of their results.

Grace will hold similar meetings at the plant tonight and tomorrow. The City Council has scheduled a public hearing on the issue for December 11.