A Department of Health study identifies an increased risk of cancer among residents who swam in an Ashland, Massachusetts lagoon, contaminated by factory waste water. For decades, between 1965 and 1978, Nyanza Inc. produced chemicals and textile dye in an Ashland factory.
An investigation of residents of Ashland, Massachusetts found 73 cases of cancer and 8 cancer-related deaths, especially among those who swam in the lagoon between the ages of 10-18. Health officials advise Ashland residents who had contact with the lagoon to see a physican.
The 35-acre site became a federal Superfund site in 1985 when it was closed off. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (NPA), groundwater, soil, sediments, and surface water are contaminated with heavy metals (mercury), chlorinated organics, and other chemical wastes.
The company's successor paid only $13 million of the total clean up cost of $46 million, the U.S. government picked up the rest of the bill.
Ashland Water Contamination in the News
Department of Health study announces toxic water and groundsoil in Ashland, Mass lagoon polluted by a textile dye-making factory, a 1985 EPA Superfund Site. (Apr-25-06) [BOSTON.COM]EPA outlines the Ashland site, its contaminants and clean-up. Photos of Ashland lagoon. [EPA]
