Toxics Targeting in the News

Although there are health risks with visiting a lead-contaminated area of Fall Creek gorge near Ithaca Falls, most people visiting the site probably have not had enough exposure to the toxic element to cause problems, a state health department official said Friday.

Members of an Ithaca company and a citizens' group are calling for the immediate cleanup of the popular swimming, hiking and fishing area. As early as 1995, the state Department of Environmental Conservation has documented high levels of lead and visible lead shot there stemming from the defunct Ithaca Gun factory nearby.

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Groups seek cleanup of Ithaca Falls

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Group seek cleanup of Ithaca Falls

ITHACA -- An Ithaca company and a citizen's group are calling for the immediate cleanup of a lead-contaminated site on land the City of Ithaca plans to turn into a park.

The city purchased the more than 10-acre piece of Fall Creek gorge, that includes Ithaca Falls, from Cornell University in March for $1. Now, it's faced with the cleanup of the site between Stewart Avenue and Lake Street, where the state Department of Environmental Conservation has documented high levels of lead contamination from the Ithaca Gun Co.'s former factor in 1995.

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Contaminant From Gas Is Found in Water

A GASOLINE additive intended to reduce air pollution, in large-scale use on Long Island for less than 10 years, is rapidly moving though the region's groundwater, penetrating drinking water supplies.

The additive, M.T.B.E., for methyl tertiary butane ether, has been found in the highest concentrations in shallow wells near gas stations and industrial areas where petroleum spilled. It is also being detected in nearly one in five of the deeper public wells that are the Island's principal sources of drinking water.

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Aid to Environment, Or Threat to Lake?; Cornell Pursues Pumping Plan, But Critics Fear Fouled Water

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A No-Win Situation

In backyards Islandwide, the nightmare next door
Neighbor's buried oil tank threatens their lives, home.
Neighbor's buried oil tank elicits unfriendly feelings

THE BERGMANNS didn't strike oil; oil struck them -- and hasn't stopped.

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Left in the Dark As Danger Lurks

In gas leaks, state often decides not to tell

The bulldozers working at the corner service station caught Jason Hill's eye on a hot August morning in 1995. So did the truck that said "New York State Department of Environmental Conservation" in green lettering on the doors.

For years, the Hills had wondered why their washing machine smelled faintly of gasoline, and why they would get headaches and feel dizzy whenever they took a shower. And they didn't understand why their allergist couldn't find the cause for 11-year-old Jeanine Hill's chronic sinus infection.

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Walter Hang battles for lead clean-up in Fall Creek

Fall Creek lead topic debated