Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says Erie County residents that have had their property tested by the New York State Department of Environment and Conversation  (DEC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  have been briefed on the radiological testing done on their properties. 

The DEC, EPA, and NYS Dept. of Health have conducted radiological assessments on hundreds of properties in Erie and Niagara Counties.

Residents received the information Monday during a joint information session. 

“The continued health and wellness of our residents remains my administration’s top concern. That is why for weeks now members of my administration have participated in EPA and NYS DEC calls regarding potential radiological exposure in the region and I have been personally briefed on the matter by DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton and others,” said Poloncarz.

The county executive says testing will move down to other parts of the county, including the southtowns.

“Now that testing has commenced on Grand Island, and we have been advised that screenings will begin in various communities in the southtowns, it is important for all residents to know the EPA and NYSDEC have the authority, experts and modern technological resources to conduct this new phase of radiological surveys, especially given that the last survey of the region was done in 1984.”

Poloncarz says testing on Grand Island has come back negative. 

“I have been advised that all sites tested so far on Grand Island have come back clean, which is very good news,” said Poloncarz. “Nevertheless, this critical work is made necessary by our area’s nuclear legacy, which included participating in the Manhattan Project and decades of unregulated waste disposal. The goal is to protect public health and our environment, and we support these agencies’ work as they move ahead with their mission.”

Residents in WNY and Canada who have questions about EPA and DEC activities can contact the DEC at (518) 712-8279.  The DEC also has a website with information about the project and survey phases.  You can also email NECRA@dec.ny.gov.