The cancer rates on Long Island have been alarmingly high for years. Many factors have been cited as potential causes including the island’s proximity to New York City its large population of retirees and its aging infrastructure. But one of the most commonly cited reasons is the island’s high levels of toxic chemicals in the environment.
Exposure to toxins has been linked to many types of cancer including breast cancer testicular cancer and leukemia. And Long Island is home to many sites that are known to be contaminated with harmful chemicals. For example the former Grumman Aerospace facility in Bethpage is a Superfund site that is contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE) a known carcinogen. The Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant in Calverton is also contaminated with TCE as well as other harmful chemicals.
These sites are just two of many on Long Island that are contaminated with harmful chemicals. And many of these chemicals have been linked to cancer. So it’s no wonder that the cancer rates on Long Island are so high.
If you live on Long Island it’s important to be aware of the dangers of these chemicals and to take steps to protect yourself and your family. You can find more information on the Long Island Environmental Coalition website.
