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Niagara County: Cancer Rates Soar Amidst Toxic Legacy
19 Jul
Summary
- 70% of Niagara County block groups show significantly elevated lung cancer rates.
- Some areas report lung cancer rates 48 times higher than the national average.
- An infographic visualizes 262 hazardous waste sites across Niagara County.
Cancer statistics in Niagara County reveal a stark public health crisis, with 70% of its block groups flagged for statistically significant elevated lung cancer incidences between 2011 and 2015. This represents a 37.5% increase above the New York statewide average.
Furthermore, 64% of block groups showed elevated rates of bladder cancer, 40% higher than the state average. Mesothelioma rates in 13 block groups ranged from six to 31 times the state rate, with the most affected areas showing rates 48 times the national average, particularly pointing to a distinct asbestos exposure pathway in North Tonawanda.
A newly released infographic offers residents a detailed view of local hazardous waste sites, contamination, and potential cancer risks. Developed over two months by attorney Christen Civiletto and GIS specialist Dr. Caitlin McShane, it maps 262 hazardous waste sites across the county, with 156 concentrated in the Niagara Falls 'Impact Zone'.
The project compiles data from state and federal sources, including NYSDEC, EPA, and Army Corps of Engineers, alongside historical records. Civiletto hopes the infographic will increase awareness of the long-term health impacts from decades of manufacturing and waste disposal, emphasizing the need for accountability.
