Soil and groundwater in the Tremont Nail Factory District was found to be contaminated with oil and other hazardous materials earlier this year, according to Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection records.

The 7.2-acre site, which was purchased by the town of Wareham in 2004, houses several historic buildings that once belonged to the Tremont Nail Company. The company built nails onsite from 1819 to 2006.

According to Department of Environmental Protection records, the pollution was discovered during a site investigation by Ransom Consulting, Inc. The firm collected soil, soil gas and groundwater samples in the area from January to March 2016.

Petroleum compounds, heavy metals, zinc and other materials were found at levels that exceed those set by the Massachusetts Oil and Hazardous Release Prevention Response Act.

As a result, the Department of Environmental Protection was notified, which triggered a process that will prompt further testing.

According to a memo from Ransom Consulting to the Department of Environmental Protection dated Aug. 18, the company will perform several tests to assess potential risks to the environment and people. The tests include a human health risk assessment and an ecological assessment to determine potential contamination of the abutting Wankinco River.

The memo states that the pollution levels may be due to oil containers found inside the factory’s old boiler room, previous manufacturing operations and coal used at the site.

While the site is polluted above levels allowed by state law, Ransom Consulting concluded the levels are low enough that there is no imminent hazard to human health or the environment.

A representative from Ransom Consulting, Inc. declined to comment for this article.