More tests underway to explore potential link between Keyport cancer cases and abandoned landfill
Just one day after an independent expert reported elevated levels of lead and arsenic in soil samples, more testing is underway.
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Ongoing concerns about a potential cancer cluster in Keyport are bringing new scrutiny to what could be in the ground and in people's homes.
Just one day after an independent expert reported elevated levels of lead and arsenic in soil samples, more testing is underway.
Trained experts performed a vapor test inside Sal Liguori’s basement. His house sits next to the Aeromarine landfill, overlooking Raritan Bay in Keyport.
“They’re looking for any kind of dioxins, PCVs, all kinds of dangerous chemicals linked to cancer,” Liguori said.
Specifically, scientists from the independent nonprofit Spectral Systems Integration are looking for benzene and any pathways it may have found to end up in Keyport residences.
The two-minute sample draws air from Liguori’s sump pump into a vacuum container.
“The sump pit really is a portal to the underlying strata that is in this basement and the soils,” said Dr. Mark Thomas, vice president of operations with Spectral Systems Integration.
Liguori’s son died of cancer several years ago, and Liguori was diagnosed with leukemia this summer. The state Department of Environmental Protection has said no pathway for human contamination exists, despite hundreds of reported cancer cases in the area.
“This is really advanced to the next level to really prove that vapor intrusion is real and there are pathways,” Liguori said.
Wednesday's testing did find something.
“You’ve picked up something organic, something organic in the basement. Whether it’s benzene, we don’t know yet,” said Dr. Robert Kroutil, a research chemist with Spectral Systems Integration. “It did pick up something. I’ll quickly look at it, and we’ll try to determine what compounds we’re trying to detect.”
It will take approximately three to four weeks to analyze today’s samples and get full results. On Tuesday night, Sept. 22, the DEP will host a meeting to share more of the agency’s findings with Keyport residents.
“I'm not out to hurt anybody. I’m just out to save people’s lives. I’m out to give you all a better life,” Liguori said.
