The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said it has found no evidence that contamination from the former Aeromarine landfill is responsible for reports of cancer cases among residents living nearby.
The findings were presented during a public meeting Tuesday night at Keyport High School, where residents packed the room hoping for answers about what many have described as a possible cancer cluster in the community. Hundreds of residents have reported cancer diagnoses among people who lived near the former landfill site since last Spring, prompting calls for a thorough environmental review.
"Our testing efforts, complemented by the independent data that was shared with us...have not found any indication that the Aeromarine site, which includes the landfill, is impacting the surrounding neighborhoods," said NJDEP Commissioner Ed Potosnak.
According to DEP officials, testing identified elevated levels of contaminants in certain areas of the Aeromarine property. However, officials said they found no pathway through which those contaminants could be affecting nearby residents.
Investigators examined several potential exposure routes, including drinking water contamination, vapor intrusion and surface water exposure. DEP representatives said residents are not at risk through any of those pathways.
Still, many members of the public said they remain unconvinced.
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"Five hundred cases of cancer. That is not a coincidence. Let's go to other towns throughout New Jersey. Is there 500-plus in such a small radius? I don't think there's many, " said Keyport resident Danielle.
Some residents shared deeply personal stories during the meeting.
"I have cancer. My son had cancer too," said Keyport resident Sal Liguori. "I watched him waste away until cancer finally took him from me, his fiancée and his two beautiful children."
Others urged the community to trust the scientific process.
"I understand it's a very emotional, touching problem," said Keyport resident Kathleen De Los Reyes. "But at the same time, we need to realize that the science is there. They're giving us the science, and they're following certain protocols, which is what I want to happen."
While the DEP's findings may answer questions about potential exposure from the landfill, debate continues over the future of the Aeromarine site itself. Officials said the DEP would support redevelopment of the property if that is what local residents ultimately want.
However, if the site is not redeveloped, it raises the question of who would pay for the remediation.
"Absent a developer, which I think isn't going to happen...yes, the answer is that we would have the government involved and paying for the cleanup," said Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ).
Residents said they want assurance that any future decisions will prioritize public health.
"Just making sure we can trust the information and that they have the best interest of the community," said Keyport resident Melissa May.
The DEP said it will continue working with the Environmental Protection Agency and residents as discussions about cleanup and potential redevelopment move forward.