Independent expert suggests possible link between Keyport contamination and cancer cases
The expert believes the flooding from Hurricane Sandy was a pathway that could have moved toxic chemicals from the improperly capped landfill into residential areas.
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The results of chemical testing inside people’s homes in Keyport have been revealed amid hundreds of cancer cases that have been reported in the area.
To this point, the state Department of Environmental Protection has said there is no pathway to human contamination from the toxic chemicals at the former Aeromarine landfill. Wednesday night, an independent investigator said there could be.
“There are more reported potential cancer clusters than I've ever seen," said Scott Smith, an independent testing expert.
“I had a cat with a tumor the size of a grapefruit," said resident Chris Brown.
Smith calls the landfill "an unlined toxic waste pit," with no barrier between chemicals and soil. He tested inside some of the nearby homes, where hundreds of cancer cases have been reported. His testing found significantly higher levels of toxic materials - metals like lead and arsenic - in the soil beneath people’s basements than outside their properties.
“You had Hurricane Sandy, and the pathway is the flooding and the exposure," said Smith. "I've been in people's basements. When it rains, you can see the water come up through their basements.”
These are preliminary findings, with more testing necessary. The DEP has yet to release its results. Superfund remediation through the EPA was mentioned as a possible option. It could be a more thorough approach than redevelopment, but a costlier and slower one.
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The DEP will host a community meeting on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the high school.
“Once you understand the contaminants, then you can develop a remediation plan," said Smith. "This is a great community. I'm very positive and hopeful. You just have to admit there's a problem. Then we can solve it.”
“You have a chance to put 40 years behind you and do the right thing and come out and be honest to us," said resident Sal Liguori. "Let's fix this and get this place cleaned up together as a unit.”
