The Harvard University School of Public Health offered results of a screening of a group of residents near the Lafarge plant, testing for possible exposure to certain heavy metals. Neighbors of the plant are concerned about the presence of mercury and lead in the surrounding area.
The study included collecting blood and hair samples. Last May, 185 people were tested for heavy metals, after community advocate group CASE expressed concern over the LaFarge Cement Plant/ Harvard's human biomonitoring investigation that was conducted on voluntary participants who live within a ten mile radius of the LaFarge Cement Kiln in Ravena.
The team tested to see if residents have elevated levels of certain heavy metals, including lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium, and what role they may be playing in disease risk.
The public meeting, including a question and answer session, was held on Thursday in the Ravena Coeyman's High School Auditorium. The study released some concerning test results. Harvard found that 10 percent of adults and five percent of children tested, have mercury levels above state and EPA guidelines, according to Fox 23 News. Elevated levels of lead and aluminum were also discovered.
Some environmental advocates say few scientific studies have been done on these issues. Lafarge says the safety of its plant's operations has been verified by New York State agencies.
Harvard researchers have been compiling data on heavy metal and toxins found in the community where Lafarge Cement is a major employer. Researchers could not connect the levels to fish that they ate.
More investigation is needed to determine if the plant does have anything to do with the results.
In 2008, the group Community Advocates for Safe Emissions (CASE) formed over concern of the plant's toxic air emissions and its impact on the region. CASE also formed over the alarming reports of children suffering from the effects of mercury and lead poisoning, some battling rare childhood cancers.
The team tested to see if residents have elevated levels of certain heavy metals, including lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium, and what role they may be playing in disease risk.
The public meeting, including a question and answer session, was held on Thursday in the Ravena Coeyman's High School Auditorium. The study released some concerning test results. Harvard found that 10 percent of adults and five percent of children tested, have mercury levels above state and EPA guidelines, according to Fox 23 News. Elevated levels of lead and aluminum were also discovered.
Some environmental advocates say few scientific studies have been done on these issues. Lafarge says the safety of its plant's operations has been verified by New York State agencies.
Harvard researchers have been compiling data on heavy metal and toxins found in the community where Lafarge Cement is a major employer. Researchers could not connect the levels to fish that they ate.
More investigation is needed to determine if the plant does have anything to do with the results.
In 2008, the group Community Advocates for Safe Emissions (CASE) formed over concern of the plant's toxic air emissions and its impact on the region. CASE also formed over the alarming reports of children suffering from the effects of mercury and lead poisoning, some battling rare childhood cancers.
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