TV News Coverage - Free New York Toxic Map

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT-TV) - Homebuyers have a new resource to check whether a property has a polluted past.

Toxics Targeting, based in Ithaca, has come out with a new free online database that shows whether a specific residence is on or near a hazardous cleanup site.

The firm has compiled information from the DEC, the EPA and county health departments and cross referenced information to get specific street addresses.

During a presentation in Broome County, President Walter Hang told WIVT-TV in Binghamton that there are more than 7,500 such sites in their area alone.

Hang says pollutants in the air, water and soil can be deadly.

"The main concern is cancer. Many of these cancer-causing agents increase the risk of getting this disease. Not in a day, not in a week, but over the course of a lifetime," said Hang.

Hang says the owner can also be held liable for future cleanup costs.

While the free database only indicates the existence of a toxic site, users can purchase a report detailing the contamination for $150 from Toxics Targeting.

The free New York Toxic Map can be found at ToxicsTargeting.com.

Watch this video to learn how it works: