State acknowledges potential harmful effects of Bethpage plume

The state has acknowledged for the first time the potential harmful health effects from the pollution at the former Grumman site in Bethpage.

News 12 Staff

Jun 28, 2019, 9:38 PM

Updated 1,781 days ago

Share:

The state has acknowledged for the first time the potential harmful health effects from the pollution at the former Grumman site in Bethpage.
A report released by the state Department of Health has linked groundwater pollution from the Grumman site to specific potential health effects.
The report states that water coming from Well 6 at Lowell Street and Park Lane contained high levels of TCE. It says people's health was put at risk if residents drank the water before 1976.
News 12 has reported that TCE was used by Northrop Grumman and the Navy to degrease and clean planes. According to the report, that toxic chemical could have resulted in immune or developmental health issues.
Well 6 was shut down in 1976. It was reopened in the 1990s and is currently getting an overhaul.
The report says water used in Bethpage since 1976 is "not expected to harm people's health."
The Bethpage Water District criticized the report in a statement to Newsday.
"This report makes gross assumptions from 45 years ago and unfortunately provides no beneficial information whatsoever," Bethpage Water District Superintendent Mike Boufis said in a statement. "The Bethpage Water District has always been proactive in deploying the necessary technology to protect the health and safety of our residents."
Susan Spinato, a Bethpage resident, says she was diagnosed with breast cancer back in October. She says she can’t help but think that the water had something to do with her health problems.
“It's got to be the water because we all have it,” she says.


More from News 12
2:20
State DEC: 6 more concrete blocks, some containing chemical drums, found buried at Bethpage Community Park

State DEC: 6 more concrete blocks, some containing chemical drums, found buried at Bethpage Community Park

2:07
Mostly sunny Tuesday on Long Island with highs near 67

Mostly sunny Tuesday on Long Island with highs near 67

0:22
Police: 4 hospitalized after SUV crashes into store in West Babylon

Police: 4 hospitalized after SUV crashes into store in West Babylon

0:23
Police: Illegal gun seized minutes after shooting in Freeport

Police: Illegal gun seized minutes after shooting in Freeport

2:50
A grave mistake - Stranger buried in Suffolk man's family plot exposes lack of burial society regulation

A grave mistake - Stranger buried in Suffolk man's family plot exposes lack of burial society regulation

0:27
Suffolk police: 22-year-old motorcyclist killed in Commack crash

Suffolk police: 22-year-old motorcyclist killed in Commack crash

1:39
Long Island inmate advocates rally in Albany for sentencing reform, other bills

Long Island inmate advocates rally in Albany for sentencing reform, other bills

1:40
Public hearing held on proposal to build hotel in Patchogue village

Public hearing held on proposal to build hotel in Patchogue village

1:44
Officials: Advanced oxidation system being installed in Hicksville to remove 'forever chemicals'

Officials: Advanced oxidation system being installed in Hicksville to remove 'forever chemicals'

0:27
Police: 1 man arrested, 1 injured following stabbing in Huntington Station

Police: 1 man arrested, 1 injured following stabbing in Huntington Station

0:24
Man saves service dog from Oyster Bay waters, is then rescued by police

Man saves service dog from Oyster Bay waters, is then rescued by police

0:16
Man wanted for pushing 79-year-old in Commack

Man wanted for pushing 79-year-old in Commack

1:45
Main Street Long Island: Showcasing the best of Lindenhurst

Main Street Long Island: Showcasing the best of Lindenhurst

1:30
Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Little Shelter of Long Island on May 13

Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Little Shelter of Long Island on May 13

0:53
Suffolk police: 4 arrested at county shops selling illegal vapes

Suffolk police: 4 arrested at county shops selling illegal vapes

1:53
‘A beautiful gift.’ Massapequa Park daughter donates kidney to ailing mother

‘A beautiful gift.’ Massapequa Park daughter donates kidney to ailing mother

0:28
Steve Buscemi punched in the face in NYC, actor's publicist says

Steve Buscemi punched in the face in NYC, actor's publicist says

0:30
Police: 77-year-old woman dies after being struck by 2 cars in Freeport

Police: 77-year-old woman dies after being struck by 2 cars in Freeport

0:51
Officials: 3 people hospitalized following Manorhaven house fire

Officials: 3 people hospitalized following Manorhaven house fire

0:30
Haliburton, Pacers take advantage of short-handed Knicks to even series with 121-89 rout in Game 4

Haliburton, Pacers take advantage of short-handed Knicks to even series with 121-89 rout in Game 4