DEC Issues Health Warning On LI About Cadmium Contamination In Willet's Creek

WEST ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Department of Environmental Conservation health alert has residents in one Long Island community concerned and seeking answers.

As WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported, DEC officials believe flooding from Superstorm Sandy likely forced the carcinogen Cadmium from leeching pools at a West Islip superfund site, which then seeped into Willet's Creek.

The agency said it's caused a significant threat to public health. They've issued warnings to area residents as they map out a plan to remove contaminated soil.

Nearby resident Linda Giordano, meanwhile, is concerned.

"My grandkids come and this is where we shop and if they're going to be removing this, it's going to be airborne and they're going to be breathing this; and long-term, what's going to happen long-term?" she said.

The DEC said drinking water is not impacted by the contamination. They are warning people against eating fish from the creek.