Lucas A. --
As you may have heard, air quality tests at the North River Wastewater Treatment Plant under Riverbank State Park reported elevated levels of formaldehyde. While this is a cause for concern, it is not cause for alarm. Reading at 32 micrograms per cubic meter--above the city’s recommended 30 micrograms per cubic meter--the test results remain well below federal standards. The Health Department assures us that there is no risk to public health, the surrounding neighborhood, or to park goers. Though formaldehyde is associated with cancer, a person would need to continually be exposed to extremely high levels over an entire lifetime in order to develop an increased risk of cancer.
Since this facility was dumped on our community three decades ago, we have been fighting for robust emissions monitoring and a direct oversight role for local residents.Today’s news is a stark reminder of why this work must continue. My office has been in close contact with City and State officials and will continue to monitor the situation closely to make sure follow-up tests are conducted in a timely and transparent manner, and that steps are taken to lower formaldehyde levels.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is currently evaluating operational changes at the plant that would reduce the concentration of formaldehyde. To ensure a comprehensive evaluation, the New York State Department of Conservation and DEP will expand the collection of air samples both within the park and into the nearby West Harlem neighborhood to further assess formaldehyde levels. In addition, DEP has already begun the design and allocated funding for a $230 million plan to replace all the engines that power the plant with a highly efficient and clean burning co-generation system.
I’m also pleased to be co-sponsoring legislation that would create a new air quality task force made up of seventeen members, including two representatives from Manhattan Community Board 9 that will provide recommendations to the Mayor that will address air pollution. Importantly, this bill will guarantee local residents have a seat at the table as critical air quality issues are discussed in the future.
While we have been reassured that the community is safe, we encourage you to contact our office at 212-928-6814 with questions or call 311 to report any issues.
Sincerely,
Mark