Officials: Cleanup Of Roberto Clemente Park Could Take At Least 6 Months
BRENTWOOD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- It will be at least six months before thousands of tons of toxins are removed from a children's park on Long Island, officials said.
Roberto Clemente Park in Brentwood has been closed since District Attorney Tom Spota announced in May that about 1,100 tractor-trailer truckloads of contaminated debris were illegally dumped there.
Late last month, tests showed the park is badly contaminated with asbestos hazardous pesticides, toxic metals and petroleum products.
Officials said the ongoing investigation by the district attorney's office and required permits are delaying the $6 million cleanup, which is not likely to begin until at least mid-September.
Many residents are concerned about their health.
"My main concern is the health ramifications that will come back to haunt us later," resident Ebony Hartman said. "They are saying it's not airborne and it wouldn't cause any health issues, but, you know, a lot of times they say one thing at the beginning and then it's another story in the end."
Spota said the toxic dumping began last June and criminal charges could be filed.
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