Press Release
Local Officials Reiterate Need to Attend Rubber Pollution Sessions
On the eve of the only sessions currently scheduled for public input on the health study of cancer rates near the former Mercer Rubber factory, Congressman Chris Smith, State Senator Peter Inverso, and Assemblyman Bill Baroni released a joint statement today that said:
“As elected representatives serving the residents of Hamilton at the state and federal levels, we strongly urge all those interested in learning more about a study regarding possible environmental and health hazards in the area of the former Mercer Rubber plant to attend one of the two public information sessions to be held by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.” The agency availability sessions will be held from 2:00-4:00 pm and from 6:00-8:00 pm on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at the Nottingham Fire House in Hamilton. The three legislators, all residents of Hamilton Township, said they were issuing the joint statement “to underscore our deep and common concern for the health and welfare of our constituents and our mutual desire to ensure that those who live near the site are fully aware of this first opportunity to hear directly about the recently released Public Health Assessment and the Health Consultation which investigated the incidence of cancer in the area. The agencies have sent out a press announcement that we believe should be amplified so that more people have a chance to know about the meetings.” The legislators said that federal, state and local officials will not only discuss the recently drafted Public Health Assessment and the Health Consultation and answer question from residents, but “will also offer private one-on-one sessions with any citizen who wishes to discuss particular health concerns they believe could be linked to possible exposure to the contaminants from the rubber plant. We believe the private sessions are critical to ensure that all citizens are comfortable in discussing their health concerns.” Last Thursday, Smith announced a new commitment he received from the two agencies to intensify their study of cancer rates in the neighborhoods immediately surrounding the former Mercer Rubber plant and to expand the time frame studied as a means to answer many of the questions raised by those in the area. “The public session will enable these same residents, and others, to bring their concerns directly to the analysts and scientists who are charged with exploring additional concerns that may have originally been missed,” the legislators said. A summary of the draft Public Health Assessment document, prepared as a result of a request from a concerned citizen to look into possible exposures to contaminants from the Mercer Rubber Company, will be provided at the availability session. Citizens are encouraged to provide written comments about the issues discussed in the report. The legislators said they were told that the one-on-one private conversations will be held at both sessions and added that anyone who has additional information or concerns about the study or the sessions can call them at their local offices: U.S. Rep. Chris Smith: (609) 585-7878 Further information about report and the comment period can also be requested at (609) 584-5367 Consumer and Environmental Health Services, NJDHSS. |