In April 2024, the New York Post reported the discovery of 55-gallon steel drums containing toxic chemicals, including trichloroethylene (TCE), buried in a Long Island park. The presence of TCE, a known carcinogen, underscores the ongoing environmental challenges that continue to threaten the public’s health in Long Island.
The steel drums were uncovered by contractors as part of a multi-year plan to clean up Bethpage Community Park, which Northrop Grumman used as a dumping ground for decades, Newsday reported.
Historical Context: Northrop Grumman and the TCE Scandal
Water contamination has been a major concern for Long Island residents for decades. For many years, news sources have pointed to the activities of Northrop Grumman, a major defense contractor that operated a facility in Bethpage, Long Island. Northrop Grumman used TCE as a solvent in its manufacturing processes, which according to the many reports, resulted in significant contamination of the surrounding environment.
In 2019, the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) conducted an analysis of EPA data, revealing that Long Island had the most contaminated drinking water in New York State. To address groundwater contamination, the New York State finalized an agreement with Northrop Grumman in July 2022 to clean up the toxic Bethpage Plume, a large area of groundwater contamination linked to the company’s operations. While this agreement marked progress, the long term impact of contamination continues to pose health challenges for the local residents.
What Is TCE?
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a chemical compound commonly used as an industrial solvent, particularly for degreasing metal parts. It is classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC) and is recognized as a human carcinogen by health authorities. TCE can contaminate soil and groundwater, making its way into drinking water supplies. Prolonged exposure to TCE has been linked to serious health issues, including liver and kidney damage, neurological effects, and an increased risk of cancer.
Why It Brings Up Bad Memories for Long Islanders
The impact of water contamination has been felt across generations in Long Island. The underlying problem is rooted in Long Island’s reliance on groundwater aquifers for its water supply, unlike other parts of New York that draw from the cleaner waters of the Catskills. This reliance makes Long Island’s water particularly susceptible to pollution from industrial activities, pharmaceuticals, flame retardants, and household solvents, as well as naturally occurring elements like nitrates, arsenic, and radium.
Long Islanders recall the long, often frustrating battle for accountability and remediation. Our community has faced the harsh reality of seeing loved ones suffer from illnesses potentially tied to TCE and other pollutants. These experiences have fostered a deep sense of distrust and anxiety, as residents have grappled with the fear that their water could be making them sick. The recent discovery of the toxic drums serves as a painful reminder of these struggles.
Despite efforts to mitigate the problem, TCE contamination remains a pressing concern in Long Island. Recent data indicates that TCE levels in some areas outside of Bethpage, such as Suffolk County, are up to 18 times higher than the health guidelines set by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). This poses significant health risks to the local population, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
How You Can Remove TCE from Water
At Simply PURE Water Filtration, we can help you remove TCE and other contaminants from your water through reverse osmosis, a multi-stage filtration system that can fit underneath your kitchen sink (or even be employed from a whole-home water filtration perspective). Want to learn more? Contact us today to get your free water quality analysis, and find out more about what’s in your water!
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About Simply PURE Water Filtration Services
Living in and serving the Long Island community, we strive to make sure everyone has access to clean, healthy water. We have the experience, knowledge, and industry-leading technology to provide clean water solutions for water impurities, contaminants, hard water, bad tasting/odors, well water, acidity & pH regulations.
Proud members of the WQA (Water Quality Association), and the EWQA (Eastern Water Quality Association), we adhere to strict guidelines and the WQA code of ethics. As a Pentair True Blue Partner and Authorized Distributor of Pentair Products, there’s nothing comparable to the performance, and efficiency of our whole house purification systems, water softeners, neutralizers, whole-house filters, and alkaline reverse osmosis systems for drinking in the convenience of your home.
Our products are all NSF / ANSI certified, meeting the highest safety standards and quality performance. Providing our community with only the best experience of high quality water that’s Simply PURE from our family to yours!
Simply PURE utilizes accurate testing methods before and after system installation, as well as annual maintenance of all your water treatment equipment. Our Revolutionary Custom Built Water Treatment systems upon the completion of a Free In-Home Water Analysis, or an in-depth Comprehensive Water Analysis of your choice sent to our Certified Laboratory.
