DZUS Superfund Site Information

April 4, 2016

Mr. Howard Zucker

Commissioner

NYS Department of Health

Coming Tower

Empire State Plaza

Albany, NY 12237

Dear Commissioner Zucker,

Since the recent Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health public forum on the contamination of the Dzus Superfund Site, Willets Creek and Lake Capri, many members of the West Islip community raised questions and concerns on the possible correlation between exposure to cadmium and a positive diagnosis of breast cancer.

During the question and answer portion of the forum, audience members heard conflicting reports on whether exposure to cadmium has any correlation to or increases one’s chances of acquiring breast cancer. Several residents, breast cancer advocates and environmentalists present at the forum stated that past research studies have demonstrated that extended exposure to cadmium has been known to be a possible contributing factor to breast cancer.

As you may be aware, there is a long and sad history of breast cancer in West Islip. Residents are extremely fearful of exposure to anything that might heighten their chances of a positive diagnosis. It is with this in mind that I urge the Department of Health to provide the most recent, comprehensive information available on long term and short term cadmium exposure and the resulting effects.

With the elevated instances of breast cancer in West Islip, and with the newly detected levels of cadmium Found in the area, I would like to suggest that the Department of Health seriously consider a peer review of cadmium effects on the West Islip breast cancer cluster.

We truly appreciate the representatives from the Department of Health who were present to share their expertise with us, but feel there is still a great deal of information that needs to disseminated to (lie public. I respectfully request the Department of Health provide information regarding the exposure to cadmium and breast cancer. As the State Senator representing the West lslip community, this is a top priority for me and my constituents.

I look forward to your timely response!

Best regards,

Phil Boyle

Member of the Senate 

Please be advised that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health will be holding a Public Meeting at the West Islip High School on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at 7:00PM to provide the community with an update to the ongoing cleanup of the Dzus Factory, Willetts Creek and Lake Capri. 

At this time, the Dzus Factory itself has been decontaminated and fully remediated in accordance with DEC regulations.  Closure reports have been submitted and the property can now be developed. 

At this meeting, residents will learn about the remedial design for Willetts Creek and Lake Capri, which is expected to begin in the Spring of 2019.  Contaminated sediment will be removed and the area will be returned to its native state. 

Documents from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the NYS Department of Health, regarding the Dzus Public Meeting can be found on my website at www.BoyleNYSenate.Gov.  If you have additional questions pertaining to the Dzus Superfund Site, please feel free to contact Mike Falk in my District Office at 631-665-2311.