This contamination
is the legacy of Endicott's industrial past and at least a portion
can be traced directly to IBM's Endicott plant. A new report by the
New York State Department of Health and the U.S. Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry shows increased rates of certain
types of cancers, specifically kidney and testicular cancers, and
congenital heart defects for people and infants living in the area
of the spill. I fought to initiate this study and regard it as
helpful in understanding the impact toxic chemicals have on public
health in Endicott.
We know that establishing a clear link between health problems
and chemical exposure was beyond the scope of the new study.
However, in stating that increased cases of certain cancers and
birth defects "were not likely due to chance alone," the report
confirms what many of us have suspected all along; that health risks
are higher for those living in Endicott.
The presence of TCE, particularly volatilized in indoor air, is
likely the cause. TCE is a highly dangerous chemical, which recently
was found to be up to 65 times more toxic than previously thought.
For decades, TCE has been leaked or dumped by local industry,
exposing residents to unnecessary and involuntary health risks.
Despite its limitations, this new study is a good start at
establishing scientific documentation of the health threats in
Endicott.
This is not the time to let up. My goal is to get this story
behind us. To do so, we must delineate the problem, step up
remediation, and continue studying the causality of illnesses.
Endicott has so much going for it, but until we bury the stigma
of contamination, people may continue to seek their futures
elsewhere. We cannot accept that outcome. To create this new era of
hope and opportunity, we must take the following steps:
• The state DOH must continue studying what is causing increased
incidences of certain cancers. Until we know why rates of kidney and
testicular cancer were found at 2-3 times expected levels, or why
higher numbers of babies are born with congenital heart defects, our
research will be incomplete. This report mandates further study of
health problems incurred by Endicott residents.
• The polluter primarily responsible for releasing TCE must be
identified. Some 80,000 gallons of toxic chemicals have been
removed, yet IBM admits to releasing just 4,100 gallons. IBM must
come forward with historical records it reportedly maintains, which
track employee mortality rates as well as those chemicals used in
production and possibly leaked.
Additionally, current workers at the Huron campus deserve to know
if their workplace air is contaminated with TCE.
• IBM must take responsibility for its actions and continue
aggressive sampling, testing and installing ventilation devices
wherever toxic chemical vapors are detected. The recent disclosure
of soil and gas concentrations under building 57 at levels up to
50,000 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) is alarming. Clearly
additional testing, monitoring, and remediation is needed.
• New guidelines need to be established for TCE vapors.
New York's 5 ug/m3 guideline should be lowered to account for what
we now know.
Similarly, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should
expedite its risk assessment for TCE. Legislation I inserted into a
federal spending bill this year urges EPA to consider an interim
guideline of .017 ug/m3 for TCE, a level proposed by EPA's
scientists in 2001, while a new guideline is established.
• Finally, we must all stay active and demand action from every
public or private company involved. I strongly urge residents to
review and comment on the report. Comments should be sent to the DOH
before Oct. 24.
Working together, we can put these problems behind us. The future
of this community is at stake and we must ensure that it be filled
with opportunity, good health, economic vitality, and an overall
better quality of life in Endicott.
Hinchey, a Democrat, represents New York's 22nd Congressional
District.
