EPA readies new PCB cleanup near landfill, Valatie Kill

Reprinted with permission by the Times Union

NASSAU – The Environmental Protection Agency has ordered the removal of PCB-laden soil and sediments along a tributary to a trout stream as part of a second round of cleaning up polluted land near the Dewey Loeffel Landfill Superfund site, the town said last Thursday.

Soil testing discovered very high levels of contamination along the 1,900-foot-long creek identified as T11A that feeds the Valatie Kill, according to the town.

“We reached out to EPA expressing our concerns. We’re very happy that they agreed. This is a good result. This is not only the removal of PCB-laden soil and sediments, it’s also the restoration of the habitat for the Valatie Kill,” Supervisor David Fleming said in an interview Thursday.

The costs of this round of cleanup – estimated to be several million dollars — will be paid for by General Electric and other parties responsible for the contamination at the site, the town said. Dewey Loeffel was declared a federal Superfund site in 2011. Between 1952 until 1968, an estimated 46,000 tons of toxic industrial waste was dumped at the site. EPA has already outlined that these wastes included industrial solvents, waste oil, PCBs, scrap materials, sludge and solids. PCBS – polychlorinated biphenyls – are a suspected carcinogen.

The remedial work is expected to be finished in fall 2018.

Town officials and residents have worked to stop the continued contamination of local waterways and supplies by runoff from Dewey Loeffel. Mr. Fleming said the steep slopes of the ravine where the tributary flows were of specific concern. He said prior cleanup work had not gone up high enough along the ravine slopes to remove contaminated materials.

The tributary designated as T11A flows into the Valatie Kill which empties into Kinderhook Lake, south of the Dewey Loeffel site. The Valatie Kill is a protected trout stream.

“I’m thankful for the continued community support to force action on a complete remediation of the Dewey Loeffel Superfund Site,” Mr. Fleming stated.

“This PCB clean-up is an important step but there are many more projects that need to be completed to help heal wounds from decades of failed remediation and government incompetence in protecting the health and safety of Capital Region residents,” Mr. Fleming continued.

Earlier this year, Mr. Fleming wrote the EPA, asking for action to stop the solvent 1,4-dioxane from entering the Valatie Kill. The EPA has identified the solvent as likely causing cancer in humans.

Greene reports first monkeypox case

July 21, 2022

By Melanie Lekocevic

Capital Region Independent Media

Courtesy of U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Greene County has reported its first confirmed case of monkeypox, according to the New York State Department of Health.

The name of the town or other identifying information about the person who contracted the virus has not been released.

As of July 20, the state confirmed 756 cases of the virus, with the majority of cases, 711, in New York City, 18 in Westchester County, nine in Suffolk, four each in Nassau and Monroe counties, two in Erie, and one each in Sullivan, Chemung, Rockland, St. Lawrence, Tompkins, Albany, Orange and now Greene.

Monkeypox, or orthopoxvirus, is a rare viral infection that is mild in many cases but can cause hospitalization and death. Infections spread from person to person, or from a contaminated object to a person.

The virus is rarely seen in the United States, but has been spreading globally in numerous countries that do not typically have cases, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Assemblyman Chris Tague, R-102, encouraged New Yorkers to learn more about the virus and find out how to avoid its spread.

“While I do not feel this announcement is one that should cause people any undue fear or worry, I want the people of Greene County and elsewhere in the 102nd Assembly District to know we are aware of the spread of monkeypox and are prepared to do everything we can for those who may become affected by it,” Tague said in a statement. “What’s most important is to know about monkeypox, how it spreads, and the importance of taking action if you believe you or someone you love may be infected with the virus.”

Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion and a rash that can resemble pimples or blisters. The rash frequently appears inside the mouth and on the hands, feet, chest and genitals, according to the CDC.

There is a vaccination available to protect against monkeypox. The Greene County Public Health department said in a statement that the following individuals are recommended by the CDC to get vaccinated: people who have been identified as a contact with someone with monkeypox, those who may have been exposed to the virus, who have had multiple sexual partners in the past two weeks in an area where monkeypox has been confirmed or with a partner who has been diagnosed with monkeypox.

Vaccination clinics are being held at the Saratoga County Department of Health, the only county in the Capital Region to be allocated doses of the vaccine. The next clinic is scheduled for Friday, July 22, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at 6012 County Farm Road in Ballston Spa. No appointments were available as of Thursday morning.

At press time, no vaccination clinics have been scheduled in Greene County.

On July 21, the state Department of Health announced New Yorkers can sign up to receive monkeypox alerts on their smartphone by texting “MONKEYPOX” to 81336. You can also opt in for messages based on your location of interest.

EPA readies new PCB cleanup near landfill, Valatie Kill

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