New York State Department of Health Announces Expanded Cancer Evaluation in Bethpage Area Based on Former Grumman-Navy Site Related Plume

Recent Discovery of Drums in Bethpage Poses No New Exposure or Public Health Risk

New York State Continues to Ensure Public Drinking Water is Protected

ALBANY, N.Y. (August 19, 2024) - The New York State Department of Health today announced it will update and expand its 2013 health evaluation that analyzes cancer data of residents living near the former Grumman-Navy site in Bethpage. The Department continues to remind residents that there are no new exposures or risks to public health due to the recent discovery of intact buried drums in the Bethpage Community Park, and that the state will continue to ensure protection of public drinking water and closely oversee the ongoing investigation and cleanup of the park and containment of the groundwater plume.

"The Department of Health is committed to continuing our work with state and local partners to ensure those who live in Bethpage are protected from the pollution left behind and to provide updated information that is based on science and data," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "While there is no new threat to public health, and prior exposures have been addressed for more than a decade due to the efforts of New York State, we understand the public would benefit from and appreciate an updated review of cancer cases in the area."

The Department's 2013 study evaluated cases of cancer in several areas of Bethpage to look for elevated rates of cancer. Elevated rates of cancer were not identified. It was noted that in the area closest to the former Grumman-Navy site, the people with cancer were relatively young at the time of diagnoses, but all were diagnosed with different types of cancer and most of these types are not linked to the main contaminant of concern, Trichlorethylene (TCE).

This upcoming review is a retrospective observational evaluation, similar to the 2013 report. The expanded evaluation will be completed over the next six months to look at updated data from the New York State Cancer Registry for the original geographic area and expand the area of this analysis in an effort to provide additional information to the public. The updated evaluation will also report on trends in cancer rates in the evaluation area over time. The benefit of the evaluation for the public is knowledge and awareness of the types and rates of cancer diagnosed in the area relative to statistics for other portions of New York State.

It is important to note that like the 2013 report, this update cannot provide a direct causal link between identified cases of cancer and any particular environmental exposure such as the Grumman plume.

In general, and not specific to this evaluation or any Department of Health study, epidemiological evaluations of ambient environmental exposures can help draw associations, but they cannot definitively determine causality.

The State will continue monitoring the remediation systems so that the community can be assured they have everything in place to protect their health. While the recent discovery of intact buried drums has not affected drinking water supplies, the Department continues to routinely review public water test results to make sure effective treatment is in place to meet public health standards.

A soil vapor extraction system in operation since December 2009 prevents contaminated vapors from leaving Bethpage Community Park and reaching homes. This system is regularly monitored to ensure it is working properly. Furthermore, an on-site groundwater containment system in operation since 2009 prevents off-site migration of site contaminants in groundwater. Operation of this system has produced an area of clean water downgradient of the Bethpage Community Park and more than 2,200 pounds of contamination has been removed from the aquifer since the system came online.

Additionally, the spring 2024 discovery of intact buried drums at Bethpage Community Park does not add exposure concerns as these drums did not leak and were well contained in cement. The drums have since been removed.