A couple of years ago, there were some questions asked by readers of the Tonawanda NEWS wanting to know what the cause is of what seems to be a higher-than-normal cancer rate in the Riverview area (Town of Tonawanda). These comments were contained in both a letter and in calls to Soundoff.

FACTS attempted to follow up on these leads, and contacted some of the residents. After a short time the issue died down and was put to bed. Seems that no one was really interested.

Now, here we are in 1999 and now even more questions are being raised, this time by residents of the Riverview section of the City of Tonawanda. Some of the questions concern not only cancer in general, but also about multiple sclerosis. Western New York has among the highest rates of breast cancer and multiple sclerosis in the United States. (One is highest and the other is second highest in the U.S.)

Residents of the Sheridan Parkside area have also expressed concerns over the high rates of illnesses among their neighbors. Also there are possible dangers in and around the Holmes School.

Concerning the recent article by Joelle Gresock mentioning the radioactive contamination in Rattlesnake Creek: "Despite Ms. Heckman's and others' concerns, the Corps said that the uranium isn't an "immediate threat."

"Because the material is in an isolated area, and the levels of uranium are below the surface, and there is a limited chance of anyone coming in contact with it, the risk is minimal," said Dave Conboy, the Corp's chief on environmental analysis. "We're assessing the risk for future use. Right now, there is virtually no risk."

Two things must be noted here:

1) The wordsmithing of phrases - no "immediate threat," "limited chance," and "virtually no risk" - seem to be quite a bit shy of "no risk whatsoever."

It appears as though the "experts" are backing away from the "no problem" pitch ever so little.

2) Unfortunately, radiation doesn't have any color to it as does paint. Therefore, just because you were in the area and came home with no "paint" on you or your clothes, this is no assurance that you are/were not exposed to low-level ionizing radiation.

Where do we go from here? Just let the ongoing concerns of local residents "go to sleep" as they have done in the past? Is NO ONE else concerned?

Don Finch, Editor and Co-Webmaster For a Clean Tonawanda Site