On November 2021, New York State voters approved the state’s “Environmental Rights Amendment”, often called the “Green Amendment". Article I, Section 19 of the New York State Constitution guarantees every New York State resident has the right to clean air, water and a healthful environment. This amendment provides constitutional safety and strengthens our community’s claim that all residents have the right to a healthful environment which is legally protected by Article 1, section 19, and enforced by the State Of New York. This language was added by a statewide vote and now sits within the New York Bill of Rights. It places environmental protection on the same constitutional level as free speech, due process, and equal protection.
The story dates back to 2023 when the residents of the Washingtonville Community in the Village of Mamaroneck New York became deeply concerned when three residents living next door to each were diagnosed with thyroid cancer within just a matter of months – a coincidence? Given the neighborhood’s close proximity to industrial businesses and the incidence of riverine flooding, residents are reasonably concerned about the presence of historical environmental toxins and their potential to cause cancer. As a result, the residents organized to reinvigorate the Washingtonville Neighborhood Association (“WNA”) and began to hold regular meetings. Based on conversations among residents it became clear that there is a potential cancer cluster in the neighborhood – HOW? The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) define a cancer cluster as a greater-than-expected number of cancer cases that occurs within a group of people in a defined geographic area over a specific period of time. The Washingtonville community data collection period started in 2023 and is currently on-going. To date, over 50 Washingtonville residents with a history of cancer, both past and present, have been identified with 21 various types of cancer within less than one mile of the target area of Washington Street. The mission and purpose of our community is to raise awareness of a potential cancer cluster in the community and to advocate for government funding to obtain comprehensive environmental testing – still waiting!
The Washingtonville residents strongly advocate and demand the validation of “all” cancer clusters in the community. With the continuous pollution of our local rivers, streams and aquifer there is a strong need to test for environmental toxins in our community right now!! We cannot wait any longer! The residents of the Washingtonville Community that calls this area home have the moral and legal right to have our environment in our community tested at the expense of local, county and state governments. Our health has been compromised and at risk, our community has been victimized and taken advantage of and we all live in fear. The Washingtonville community has the right to know if we are living in a “safe” community without fear and without risk, we have the right to protect our health, our environment, our community and our future. Most importantly we have the right to protect our children!!
One question I leave all, “What about our children?”
Sincerely,
Tim O'Connor
Washingtonville Resident