OWEGO, NY (WENY) -- On Tuesday, September 24th, the Tioga County (NY) Public Health Department declared a property in Owego an 'imminent threat to public health.' Through a complaint investigation, the Public Health Director for the county said they found several health hazards at the former Tioga Casting Facility on Foundry Street.
"...Public Health determined numerous health hazards existed at the property including food and household garbage, raw sewage/human waste, toxic materials, drug paraphernalia, and most concerning, soil containing cadmium and lead... Six acres where the public health hazards and soil contamination were found, were also noted to have individuals there," said the Public Health Director for Tioga County (NY), Heather Vroman.
Vroman said if the homeless people continue to live there, they could face serious health risks.
"Health risks of cadmium and lead on the human body can result in acute exposure symptoms, such as respiratory distress, flu-like symptoms, abdominal pain, headaches, and fatigue. However, long-term exposure could lead to chronic illness[es] such as cognitive impairment, anemia, kidney disease, hypertension, reproductive toxicity, lung cancer, and prostate cancer," said Vroman.
Vroman said these effects only impact the people living directly on the brownfield site.
Homeless people who were living on the private property were told about the health risks associated with the site, and the area was placarded with warning signs. As of 1 p.m. on Sept. 24th, Vroman said at least six people found temporary housing.
She said to address the issue of homelessness, it will require a 'comprehensive approach that includes affordable housing, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and employment opportunities. It must also include community support...'
According to the Tioga Co. Legislature Chair Martha Sauerbrey, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) had the entire property fenced. She said the perfect plan would be to put the fence back up, but she doesn't feel it's something the DEC would do.
"It's quite an expense. I think though we will continue to keep going back if anyone is there to remind them that they cannot stay there, this property is not healthy for them, that they need to leave," said Sauerbrey.
Vroman local law enforcement is involved in enforcing the public health order.
"The one-acre parcel is still under monitoring as the enacted hazardous waste site. They do come down routinely and monitor the one-acre parcel that's fenced in... Our Public Health [Office] was first involved in May of this year. However, we believe individuals started living there sooner than that," said Vroman.
According to the DEC's re-evaluation of the site in July, the contamination levels mean it should stay as an industrial/commercial site, as it's not fit for residential use.
Have questions or concerns about the brownfield site? Call the Tioga Co. Public Health Department at (607)-687-8600.