Tonawanda Residents Demand the End to Cremations in Neighborhood

A few months ago The Board of Directors of the Clean Air Coalition of Western New York voted to join the fight against the Sheridan Park Crematory, run by the Amigone Family.

The Coalition decided to back the residents because of the nuisance the facility is causing to the neighborhood. Since the crematory opened, residents have complained of dark heavy smoke and nauseating odors. “Just last week I had to cover my face with a sheet in bed. The small made me sick and I couldn’t fall back asleep,” said a Werkley Ave. resident. Residents speak of not being able to use their yards because the smell of human cremations is so strong.

The EPA has stated that: “the incineration of bodies, body parts, infections and chemotherapeutic wastes collectively represent the second largest know source of dioxin and mercury pollution in the US”.  In addition to dioxin and mercury, crematory emissions may include hydrochloric acid, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide.

The World Health Organization has determined that mercury is toxic to the central and peripheral nervous system, and that the inhalation of mercury vapor can produce harmful effects on the digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys, and may be fatal.

At the request of residents, the Coalition sent a letter to the Amigone Family in May asking to stop all cremations at the facility by June 18th until the facility is moved. The Amigone’s have denied this request. Clean Air members are now calling on Attorney General to file a public nuisance suit and shut down the crematory.

Do you live by the Amigone Crematory (2600 Sheridan Dr. in Tonawanda) and want to get involved? Call our office at 852-3813.