Toxics Targeting calls for removal of chemicals at former Ithaca gun factory location

ITHACA (WBNG) -- Nearly 24 years to the day after Toxics Targeting revealed widespread pollution hazards at the former site of an Ithaca gun factory, it is now calling on the state to take action.

President Walter Hang spoke Tuesday calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to conduct what he calls, “a comprehensive cleanup of contamination problems.” Hang said the area showed a large amount of trichloroethylene. A substance he worries exposure could lead to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease.

Toxic chemicals were found at the site 24 years ago; Hang said the area is still contaminated to this day.

Hang cited a study published in the National Library of Medicine stating the solvent was associated with a 500% increased risk of developing Parkinson’s. Hang believes the contamination has moved down the hill and into the adjacent residential area.

“The public has essentially no idea that they could get Parkinson’s by being exposed to trichloroethylene,” Hang said. “Trichloroethylene is a very persistent solvent it’s all over the state of New York.”

Hang said toxics targeting is taking initiatives to limit residents’ exposure to this toxic chemical.

“We’re launching a Parkinson’s prevention campaign,” Hang said. “To try and make sure people aren’t exposed to trichloroethylene at sites that don’t meet all applicable cleanup requirements.”

Regarding the situation, the New York State Department of Environment Conservation said:

DEC prioritizes the health and safety of communities and took extensive steps in Ithaca to evaluate and, when necessary, prevent any potential public exposure to contamination. We will continue to ensure the protection of the public is at the forefront of the Ithaca Gun cleanup.

DEC is overseeing the cleanup of both the Ithaca Gun main site and adjacent areas, including the mitigation work conducted by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the Fall Creek Gorge, and the immediate measures to prevent health exposures in the Fall Creek neighborhood.

New York State has a proven track record of successfully investigating and cleaning up many contaminated sites across the state. DEC works closely with EPA and the New York State Department of Health (DOH) to ensure every cleanup uses the best available science to protect public health and the environment, both during and after the cleanup is complete. Sites in the State Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) and Superfund Program are adaptively and transparently managed using site-specific information driven by required and extensive investigations to determine the full nature and extent of contamination, and DEC consistently reviews projects to ensure cleanup activities address threats to public health and the environment.

All cleanup and construction activities on a site are designed to limit any potential public exposure to contaminants and are carefully developed and monitored to ensure effectiveness.