TONAWANDA, N.Y. —
A long-awaited study of a western New York's town's health indicates elevated rates of cancer among residents living in its industrial corridor.
The news draws attention yet again to the constant environmental worries in Tonawanda as well as the allegations that the industrial plants are knowingly emitting dangerous chemicals into the air.
The state Department of Health initiative began in 2010 and was brought about by the state Department of Environmental Air Quality Study, which found high concentrations of a known carcinogen, benzene, as well as formaldehyde, in the Tonawanda air.
The DOH study found “statistically significant elevations” of lung cancer and bladder cancer in both males and females, esophageal cancer in males and uterine cancer in females, as well as oral-cavity/pharynx cancer in males and leukemia among women.
“This confirms what our residents are living each day,” Rebecca Newberry, of the Clean Air Coalition said. “We’ve been getting a lot of calls specifically about the lung and bladder cancer, and many people are feeling a little bit vindicated.”
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Details for this story were provided by The Tonawanda (N.Y.) News.
