Hempstead CleanUp
From Journalism80
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, James Garner 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, that 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 are located in Hemptead and Bay Shore were inherited by KeySpan in 1998 from the Long Island Lighting Co.
The pollution is affecting the groundwater, which is consumed by Long Islanders on a daily basis.
The citizens in and around Bayshore are affected the most by this pollution because of the toxic plume thats building up around the area, it is the largest plume on the Island.
Soil is also affected by the chemical pollution which can cause crops and plants to die.
The groundwater is tainted with chemicals called, BTEX and PAH's, coal tar is also another substance that is found in Long Island's 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 chemicals.
PAHs is the most widespread organic pollutant 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 and 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.
Brownfields are pieces of land that has been contaminated by pollution and can be saved or reused.
This brownfield project will cost up to $200,000 and would take up to two years to complete.
LEGAL DISPUTES
It was recommended by advisors 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 Hempstead and Bayshore, to avoid legal action, fines, and public relations liabilities.
Since this recommendation, a new owner has taken over KeySpan 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.
