Folks –

Many have emailed, asking about the locations of Cheshire's
contamination sites and underground toxic plumes. As such, we have
created a map based on some of what we know:

- We know the sites from which many of these toxins have been
migrating. There are 17 of them (see http://www.cancerincheshire.com
for the detailed list). Several of these sites are still considered
active hazards by CT DEP. The written records on many of these sites
make it clear that contaminants have migrated toward and, in some
cases, have reached surrounding residential or business areas. The
records also make clear that there has not yet been any adequate
investigation to rule out vapor intrusion in surrounding
buildings/homes.

- We know that underground toxins typically creep very, very slowly,
day-by-day through the soil. Through cracks in underground rock, these
toxins can move more swiftly. Over a course of 30 years or more,
these plumes can travel a significant distance (even miles). With
this bare knowledge, we can estimate the areas of risk surrounding
each contamination site. Of course, actual areas of risk are based on
several factors including toxin concentrations, direction and speed of
the groundwater flow near each contamination site, and local geology
and geohydrology (DEP and EPA already know many of these details
regarding Cheshire's sites. With them, these plumes can be tracked,
mapped, and removed.).

- Finally, we know that there appears to be a pattern in the cancer
cases that have been reported through Cancerincheshire.com. They
appear to be grouped in nine different areas of town.

The map can be found here:
http://www.cancerincheshire.com/Cheshiremap.jpg (If you load the map
in your browser, you may need to click once to enlarge it. )

Key to the map:

- Black arrows point to EPA ID'd hazardous waste sites.
- Green circles represent areas around the sites where toxic plume
migration may have occurred and where vapor intrusion may be a concern
(Note: Toxins don't spread in perfect circles. This is not intended
to portray the exact migration of Cheshire's plumes.)
- Red numbered circles represent areas where cancer reports rec'd
through Cancerincheshire.com appear most greatly concentrated.

...

We must continue to demand that local, state, and federal officials
act to protect Cheshire from these poisons. These plumes can be and
should be tracked, mapped, and removed. Until then, Cheshire's health
and safety remains at risk.

best, neil fischbein

P.S. For a higher resolution version of the map, please contact me directly.

P.P.S. For the archive of emails on this topic, please see:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/cancerincheshire/messages?o=1