Department of Health Presents Final Tonawanda Cancer Study
TONAWANDA, NY – The New York State Department of Health will present the final results of their Tonawanda cancer study on Wednesday, November 6th at the Sheridan Parkside Community Center (169 Sheridan Parkside Dr.) in Tonawanda & on Thursday, November 7th at St. Timothy’s Church (1453 Staley Rd.) in Grand Island.
NYS DOH found that lung cancer, bladder cancer, and total cancers were elevated among both males and females; esophageal cancer was elevated among males and uterine cancer was elevated among females. In sub-areas, oral cavity was elevated among males, and leukemia among females. Pre-term births and heart defects were also elevated.
In their final report, the DOH included the recommendation to conduct future bio-monitoring of Tonawanda residents, including the taking of blood and urine samples to assess toxic exposure.
Tonawanda residents are requesting that any further health research must lead to change in public policy and regulation.
Tonawanda, NY has the highest concentration of air regulated facilities in the State. The community is extremely concerned about the high levels of different air pollutants from over 53 industrial plans in the neighborhood. According to the DEC, the annual average concentration for six air toxics (1,3-butadiene, acetaldehyde, acrolein, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, and formaldehyde), each exceed the health-based annual guideline concentrations.
Residents are calling on the Department of Health to take an active role to brief policy makers and asking the Department of Health to form a working group with the Department of Environmental Conservation focused on reducing toxic exposures.
“I think the State is hoping that cancer in Tonawanda is just going to go away,” said Durward Carter, Tonawanda resident, “It’s not going to. Cancer is linked to the pollution in our air. We need action.”
Both presentations will start at 7pm.