Congressman Cites Similarities between Calverton and Bethpage
By Hank Russell
In a letter to the New York State Department of Health, U.S. Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Hauppauge) called for a study of the former Northrop Grumman site at Calverton, where industrial activities were conducted in association with both the company and the U.S. Navy operations at the former Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant (NWIRP).
The letter was co-signed by state Senator Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk), Assemblymember Jodi Giglio (R-Riverhead), Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, county Legislator Catherine Stark (R-Riverhead), Riverhead Town Supervisor Timothy Hubbard and Town Councilmembers Kenneth Rothwell, Robert Kern, Denise Merrifield and Joann Waski.
“For the past several years, I have seen the impacts of these Naval operations at the former NWIRP,” LaLota, who served in the U.S. Navy and attained the rank of lieutenant, wrote in a letter to state Health Commissioner Dr. James V. McDonald. “The most recent findings at the NWIRP site have highlighted the need for a detailed health review of cancer rates and other potential health impacts in the Calverton area. Similar to Bethpage, where carcinogenic substances and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were discovered, Calverton has a documented history of environmental contamination, including the presence of trichloroethylene (TCE), polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and other hazardous substances in the groundwater.”
Noting the similarities between Bethpage and Calverton, LaLota said it would be “both necessary and prudent” to conduct a similar study at Calverton. He also requested that the state Health Department review the latest data from the New York State Cancer Registry and “[take] into account the latest trends and geographic considerations over the past decade.”
LaLota continued: “While establishing direct causality between environmental exposure and specific health outcomes is complex, conducting such a study will provide much-needed transparency for the residents of Calverton. Moreover, it will ensure that any necessary public health interventions or remediation efforts are informed by the most current and comprehensive data available.”
Long Island Life & Politics reached out to the state Health Department. Spokesperson Erin Clary said in a statement, “The Department has received the letter and is evaluating the potential utility of a health evaluation focusing on cancer statistics in this community. ”
She noted that the Health Department conducted a Health Consultation in Calverton in 2022 focusing upon the potential for exposure to contaminants via public drinking water and found no evidence of exposures above standards. Health consultations summarize what is known about chemical exposures and health risk. Further, according to the Health Department, cancer evaluations analyze the New York State Cancer Registry and reports on trends in cancer rates in a geographic area over time. It is important to note that cancer evaluations cannot provide a direct causal link between identified cases of cancer and any particular environmental exposure.