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High levels of cancer causing chemicals found in drinking water in Long Island town - as mayor sends urgent warning to residents
Scientist found drinking water in a Long Island has high levels of cancer causing chemicals in its century old water system and officials are calling for federal help to replace it.
An agent known as 1,4 dioxane, a carcinogen linked to liver and kidney cancer, was found in all nine wells in the Village of Hempstead, reported WABC.
Traces of 'forever chemicals' - microscopic, man-made chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that can take thousands of years to break down in the environment or in the human body - were also found.
Scientists said the chemicals seeped into system through commercial and industrial sources over time, and now the town is searching for ways to provide safe water for over 58,000 residents.
'We don't want to panic our residents but we want them informed,' said Village Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr.
An agent known as 1,4 dioxane, a carcinogen linked to liver and kidney cancer, and traces of 'forever chemicals' were found in the Village of Hempstead drinking water
Village Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. (pictured) warned the Village's more than 58,000 residents about the chemicals and said they are trying to replace the treatment plant
'Although there are still ongoing studies on the effect of this on human beings, most of the tests have been done on lab animals.'
'Here in the Village of Hempstead, we don't want to wait to find out what the results are that affect our residents, so that's why we are acting now to make sure that we remove the high levels of dioxin in our water,' said Hobbs.
The New York State Department of Health said, 'The delivered water in the Village of Hempstead does not pose a significant health risk and continues to be acceptable for all uses, as MCLS are set well below levels known to cause health effects.'
'While the water supply has had samples that tested higher than the maximum contaminant level (MCL), they have taken interim steps to minimize 1,4-dioxane in delivered water.'
The Village has drafted plans to replace the water treatment plant and estimate a new facility would cost $55 million, reported FOX 5 NY.
Hobbs said the Village Board voted unanimously to make a measure for the Village to be able to bond for $50 million.
The Village has drafted plans to replace the water treatment plant and estimate a new facility would cost $55 million
Meaning they voted to borrow $50 million to fund the project, but are hoping the federal government will help cover the bill.
Governor Kathy Hochul's office said they have given Long Island $700 million for clean water, including $72 million for the town of Hempstead.
Village officials said that money was only for specific projects. It desperately needs help because they only have one treatment plant and need to be able to provide water when it is shut down.
Work is scheduled to being in the fall and is expected to take 2 to 5 years to complete.
Recent EPA data found more than 70 million Americans are drinking from tap water that contains toxic 'forever chemicals' linked to cancer.
The worst hit areas are along the East Coast, including New York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
Recent EPA data found more than 70 million Americans are drinking from tap water that contains toxic 'forever chemicals' linked to cancer
'Forever chemicals' are microscopic, man-made chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), can take thousands of years to break down
The main purpose of PFAS compounds is to repel water and oil, which is what makes non-stick cookware so much easier to clean and why certain jackets and tents can withstand rain.
Texas researchers found the chemicals in seven out of 10 insecticides - but six had extremely large quantities of a particularly dangerous type that has been strongly linked to cancer.
PFAS can seep into the water supply by simply washing the dishes. The compounds can also end up in our food if the packaging is made to be grease-resistant - think fast food cheeseburgers - or if the non-stick coating on pots and pans begins to deteriorate.
PFAS are also common in pesticides used to feed crops.
This produces chemical-rich runoff that can enter the drinking water supply.
In April, chemical drums filled with toxic liquid were dug up in the Town of Oyster Bay in Long Island, where residents said there has been a mysterious rise in cancer over the years.
In April, chemical drums filled with toxic liquid were dug up in the Town of Oyster Bay in Long Island
The drums were buried by Northrop Grumman when it operated an aerospace facility in the town from the 1950s to 1990s
Construction workers unearthed six barrels of chlorinated solvents and waste oil petroleum.
The drums were buried by Northrop Grumman when it operated an aerospace facility in the town from the 1950s to 1990s.
Officials fear the waste may have leaked into the soil and is on the way to public drinking supply.
The town is home to more than 17,200 people who have long raised concerns about the Grumman Aerospace waste, specifically a four-mile-long carcinogenic plume flowing underground that they claim contributed to a rise in cancer diagnoses.
Residents have also found toxic compounds in their attacks and the soil - and a family of three living close to the park were all stricken with cancer.