Hempstead CleanUp

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This page is about cleaning up polluted sites in Hempstead and other nearby areas...

KeySpan is a natural gas corporation that provides the northeast region of the united states with energy.

Hempstead mayor, Wayne Hall is making KeySpan responsible for cleaning up the polluted areas in the town of Hempstead.

The pollution has come from toxic MPG's (manufactured gas plants), owned by KeySpan, which has affected various places in Long Island, including: Hempstead, Sag Harbor, Glen Cove, Patchogue, Rockaway Park, Bayshore, and other surrounding areas.

The two largest gas plants on Long Island are located in Hemptead and Bay Shore, they were inherited by KeySpan in 1998 from the Long Island Lighting Co.

The citizens in and around Hempstead are dealing with the largest contamination site on the Island there is 57,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil with 7,600 cubic yards of "hot spots." Bayshore is affected also by this pollution because of the toxic plume that's building up around the area, it is the largest groundwater plume on the Island.

While clean up has begun on the Bayshore site, KeySpand had announced to Wayne Hall that the clean up will begin this summer at the intersection of 2nd Street and North Franklin Street.

The pollution is affecting the groundwater, which turns into drinking water that is consumed by Long Islanders on a daily basis.

Soil is also affected by the chemical pollution which can cause crops and plants to die.

The groundwater and soil is tainted with chemicals called, BTEX and PAH's; coal tar is also another substance that is found in the groundwater.

CHEMICALS IN LONG ISLAND GROUNDWATER

BTEX is an acronym for Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes.

These chemicals are compounds found in petroleum which can be found in gasoline.

These chemicals can have effects on the central nervous system depression, skin irratation and sensory irritation and effects on the respiratory system.

Prolonged effects can cause damage to kidneys and liver; workers exposed to high levels of benzene were found to have leukemia.

PAHs is a acronym for Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; PAHs contains over 100 different types of chemicals.

PAHs is the most widespread organic pollutant on Earth and some of the chemicals in PAHs are known to be carcinogenic.

COAL TAR is a black or brown subtance which contains naphthalene, a main ingredient in moth balls, and is a substance within PAHs.

TASKS FOR THE CLEANUP

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), is trying to improve the appearence of Hempstead by cleaning up the brownfields in the area.

The EPA is an agency that deals with cleaning up toxic waste and other pollutants while also making regulations to keep the environment under control. If a company fails to meet the standards of controlling their toxic waste, EPA can fine them up to 1 million dollars.

Just a few blocks away from the KeySpan cleanup site, the EPA has begun the procedures of a cleanup on Fulton Avenue in North Hempstead.

Right now, EPA is trying to come up wiht a cost effective plan that can help get the project started, this cleanup site has been put on the National Prorities List of pollution clean ups.

EPA and KeySpan sites are about 200 yards away, the sources of the pollution has said to come from two different places.

The EPA submitted a proposal to government officials which places the blame on Halperin Knitting Mills for their neglegance because of waste products forming from dry cleaning and Robelan Displays Inc. because of paints and laquer thinners.

LEGAL DISPUTES

It was recommended by advisors of KeySpan Co. 15 years ago, that the former owner of KeySpan should remove soil from the areas of the two largest gas plants on the Island; which is in Hempstead and Bayshore, to avoid legal action, fines, and public relations liabilities.

Since this recommendation, a new owner has taken over the natural gas company and no action to clean up has taken place. Keyspan officials wanted these documents sealed by a judge so the corporation can avoid further scrutiny.

In the beginning of February, state Attorney General of New York, Andrew Cuomo, has threaten to sue KeySpan over a toxic gas plant in Brooklyn.

KeySpan has said that there are no health concerns to worry about with the spills; but, other agencies like the EPA and government officials have questioned that claim.