Take a moment to read this powerful Letter to the Editor. Dr. Gregory Cali is a physician who specializes in Pulmonary Disease and knows all too well the medical conditions caused by environmental contaminants. We couldn’t agree more with his statement “I was under the impression that the DEP’s job was to protect the public from environmental hazards and that economic effects should be left to other agencies.”

https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/.../letters-to-the...

Questions landfill’s impact on health

Editor: I have followed the events concerning the Keystone Sanitary Landfill expansion controversy with great interest.

I am a former Dunmore resident, and, since 2004, I have practiced pulmonary medicine on Meade Street in Dunmore, with a clear view of the landfill and the nearby used car parking lot. I read the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection report on the landfill entitled “Health Consultation,” dated April 1.

I am concerned about conclusions in the report, which I summarize:

■ The incidence of laryngeal cancer and leukemia is significantly higher in ZIP codes around the landfill. Page 78 of the report states that the incidence of laryngeal cancer for ZIP code 18509 was 122% higher than the rest of the state and 39% higher for all ZIP codes surrounding the landfill. The incidence of leukemia for Zip code 18512 (the one where I work) was 59% higher than the rest of the state. The incidence of stomach cancer in ZIP code 18512 was 71% higher than the rest of the state.

■ Short-term exposure to ammonia, methylamine, acetaldehyde and hydrogen sulfide occurred at monitoring sites such as Mid Valley High School and Sherwood Park in Dunmore. These chemicals can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and respiratory tract.

■ There were peak short-term exposures to particulate matter “that could harm people’s health.”

■ Subsurface vapor exposures (vapor intrusions) into homes are not being analyzed.

In light of these findings, I was surprised that the DEP has determined the economic benefits from the landfill outweigh potential health effects. I was under the impression that the DEP’s job was to protect the public from environmental hazards and that economic effects should be left to other agencies.

I think we need a more extensive health survey in the area around the landfill based on information in the DEP report.

GREGORY CALI, D.O.