newjerseynewsroom.com

Review stems from 1983 chromium spill into groundwater

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

An analysis of cancer cases in the neighborhood around 125 Clark St. in Garfield, Bergen County where groundwater was contaminated with hexavalent chromium in 1983 has determined that the number of cases of cancers associated with exposure to this toxic form of chromium is similar to what would be expected based statewide rates.

The findings were announced Tuesday by state Health and Senior Services Commissioner Mary E. O’Dowd. The commissioner said the study of cancer cases in the neighborhood around what was the E.C. Electroplating Co. from 1993 to 2008 found no unusual trends or significant increases in cancer. She said the Health Department would continue to monitor the neighborhood because it can take decades for cancer to develop."

The study, requested by Garfield residents, looked at the number of lung, stomach, oral and esophageal cancer cases among 3,600 residents between 1993 and 2008 and compared it with the number of cases of those cancers that would have been expected over a 16-year period in the affected neighborhood.

The analysis found the incidence of stomach and lung cancers in males was higher than expected, but the difference is considered “statistically insignificant.” Both cancers in males were also elevated before a 1983 spill of 3,640 gallons of chromium plating solution into the groundwater that flows under 600 homes in the Clark Street neighborhood.

The analysis also found the number of stomach and lung cancer cases in women in the neighborhood were lower than the statewide average.

In June 1993, hexavalent chromium-contaminated groundwater and crystals were discovered in Garfield Fire House No. 3, which was subsequently taken out of service.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been working with the community for several years on testing and remediation. Last month, the EPA added the “Garfield Groundwater Contamination Site” to its Superfund National Priorities List.

In May 2010, the Health Department and the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry issued a health warning to residents near the plant after EPA testing in 16 of 160 homes with basement flooding, leaking or other water issues found dust contaminated with hexavalent chromium.

Exposure to hexavalent chromium may be associated with lung and other cancers as well as health conditions such as irritation to the lining of the nose, asthma and other respiratory problems, skin rashes, anemia, and irritation and ulcers in the stomach and small intestine.

Garfield residents with health concerns should be evaluated by their family physician, Dr. Christina Tan, state epidemiologist, said.

The analysis can be reviewed here (PDF).