Potential Keyport cancer cluster renews calls for environmental cleanup
The contamination has come under new scrutiny after an NJ.com report found a potential cancer cluster in Keyport near the former Aeromarine landfill.
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Keyport officials are demanding answers after a recent news story claimed a possible cancer cluster near a former landfill site.
A 2010 DEP study found that toxins were leaking from the former Aeromarine landfill into Raritan Bay. Sixteen years later, officials say nothing has been done to cap it.
“I'd love to point fingers at folks who have not - and entities that should have - looked out for the public and have neglected them, but I only have 10 fingers," said NY/NJ Baykeeper Greg Remaud.
The contamination has come under new scrutiny after an NJ.com report found a potential cancer cluster in Keyport near the landfill. Twenty-eight of the 41 reported cases were on First Street.
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6th District) says the property owner is already facing fines of nearly $900,000 from the DEP.
“The company that owns the property, the landfill - they haven't paid the fine," Pallone said. "They haven't cleaned up anything. They haven’t done anything.”
This is the same strip of beach where chunks of lead and arsenic washed up two summers ago. The bay keeper says the chunks haven’t returned, but signage still tells beachgoers not to touch them if they see them.
There's no evidence yet linking the reported cancer cases with the landfill, but officials say it was improperly managed for decades, with carcinogens leaching into the soil and Raritan Bay.
“The absence of a confirmed link does not lessen the importance of a thorough, transparent review of the facts," said Keyport Mayor Rose Araneo (R).
“People fish here," Remaud said. "They recreate here. They eat the crabs without knowing how toxic this area is.”
The borough is demanding a DEP investigation and remediation - blaming the agency and the owner for not doing enough. DEP says it is discussing next steps, which could include environmental sampling and requesting a public health assessment.
There is a potential buyer for the site, which could fast-track cleanup. It will take time to study the potential link between the reported cancer cases and the contaminants in the bay.
