[CPEO-MEF] RADIATION, FORMER SITES: Wolff-Alport site, Ridgewood, Queens, NY

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

News Release
U.S. EPA Region 2
May 8, 2014

EPA Adds Radiation Site in Ridgewood Queens, New York to the Superfund List

(New York, N.Y.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has added the Wolff-Alport Chemical Company site in the Ridgewood section of Queens, New York to the federal Superfund list of hazardous waste sites. The soil and nearby sewers were contaminated by radioactive material from past industrial activities at the site. Testing indicates that there is no immediate threat to nearby residents, employees or customers of businesses in the affected area along Irving and Cooper Avenues. Since exposure to the radioactive contamination may pose a threat to health in the long-term, in December 2013, the EPA took action to reduce people’s potential exposure to the radiation and address the potential health risks from the site. 

The now-defunct Wolff-Alport Chemical Company operated from 1920 until 1954, processing imported monazite sand and extracting rare earth metals. Monazite contains approximately 6% to 8% thorium, which is radioactive. Radiation can increase a person’s risk of developing cancer such as cancer of the lung or pancreas.

“By placing the Wolff-Alport Chemical Company site on the Superfund list, the EPA can address the contamination to protect people’s health in the long-term,” said Judith A. Enck, EPA Regional Administrator.

…

For the entire release, see
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/609e310b78c3ef7a85257cd20055a13a!OpenDocument

To view an informative video on the site, go to
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid3531070458001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAAF1454s~,QH_ygumSKiVkO2Tu4Gbo1oMcF0U6tg7l&bclid=0&bctid=3537934293001

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Lenny Siegel
Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
278-A Hope Street
Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650-961-8918 or 650-969-1545
Fax: 650-961-8918
LSiegel@cpeo.org
http://www.cpeo.org




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