Herkimer County New York

1. Herkimer County New York

2. An Environmental Health Diagnosis By Lily Fitzgerald 7th grade, Tamarac Secondary

3. ABSTRACT This report presents an opening environmental health assessment of Herkimer County, New York. The research was done through data produced by government agencies, news reports, and through an interview with a technician at the Herkimer Soil and Water Conservation. The report identifies key environmental issues and the main stakeholders in Herkimer County, presents new ideas, challenges, and opportunities. The information found during the research process ranges from the population and quality of life to the water quality and how people can help. The research found may be different from the observations of environmental groups, officials, and residents of Herkimer County. The report can be used as a baseline for Herkimer County residents and stakeholders concerning environmental events in the county.

6. About EcoEd and Mentors Rensselaer's EcoEd Research Group involves faculty and students in the development and delivery of creative, interdisciplinary environmental education to K-12 students. The goal is to extend the broad impact of humanities and social science research on environmental problems through translation into hands-on exercises through which young students develop capacity to deal effectively with environmental problems, and with complex problems in general - integrating many types of knowledge.  In EcoEd’s Upper Elementary School Research Program, young students are assigned an RPI student mentor, and with them move through a nine-week exploration of a research topic, culminating in a substantial written report and formal oral presentation.

7. Case Study 1: Lead Lead poisoning continues to be the number one environmental poison for children in New York State. Children are the most at risk for lead poisoning, but adults also have a chance of getting it. Normal behaviors under the age of three, such as crawling and putting objects in their mouths, make children at a higher risk to swallow or inhale lead. The only way to check to see if a child has lead poisoning is to do a blood lead test. Most children do not feel or look sick. A blood lead test is required by New York State for children at ages one and two. Older homes and people that live in older homes are at a higher risk for lead exposure. It is also possible to bring lead dust home on clothing, hair, etc. Jobs including painting, home improvements or renovations, car maintenance and construction also put people employed in these professions at a higher risk for bringing home lead dust. Other activities such as fishing, pottery making, hunting, and refinishing furniture are also sources of lead in homes. Blood levels of 10 mcg/dL or more are considered lead poisoned. When children are tested, they are usually around 2 mcg/dL (Health NY). Although any level under 10 mcg/dL is still considered normal, many medical doctors say that the permitted levels are too high. There is a major loss of IQ in children that occurs when blood-lead levels are less than 7.5 mcg/dL. Some doctors say the acceptable level should be lowered to 5 mcg/dL (DeNoon). When there are higher blood lead levels, it can cause seizures, coma, and sometimes even death. Lead can harm a child's ability to learn, grow, and their behavior. Girls with lead levels of 3 mcg/dL demonstrate delayed onset of puberty (Heartfixer.com). Houses built before 1950 tend to have more lead (SCDHEC). People with young children that live in a house built before 1950 are encouraged to keep their children away from chipping paint. Chipping paints in older houses are usually main sources for lead. Drinking water is also a pathway to lead. Corrosive water that is in contact with lead pipes or lead soldered pipes can contaminate drinking water. Hot water is also contains higher levels of lead than cold water. When cooking, drinking, and making baby formula, people should use cold water. Lead is also said to be found in many children’s toys. Another source of lead is airborne lead. Airborne lead can result from industries such as batteries and battery burning. Herkimer County’s elevated blood-lead levels among children tested before age 6 in 2004 – 2007 is 1.8 % (Department of Health). 1.8 % is average for New York State. Blood levels range from 0.2% in Suffolk County to 4.2% in Oneida and Montgomery Counties. Oneida, Fulton, and Montgomery Counties all neighbor Herkimer County and have the highest blood-lead levels in the state of New York.

8. Soil • Soil acts as a water filter and a growing medium, provides habitat for billions of organisms, contributing to biodiversity, and supplies most of the antibiotics used to fight diseases. • Humans use soil as a holding facility for solid waste, filter for wastewater, and foundation for our cities and towns. • It is important to keep our soil clean because if our soil is polluted we are gradually polluting our fresh water supply. • In Herkimer County, there are two main types of soil. The type found in the northern part of the county is mainly sandy granite rock and the type found in the south is mainly bedrock. • In Herkimer County, most of the land is used for dairy farms, beef operations, and in some parts there are hay fields. • In the past there were a large number of small farms with only about 20 – 100 cows on it. Now, although there are not as many farms, the existing farms are very large. • Issues with the soil in Herkimer are erosion and compaction (Gerry Smithson, Technician). Although these are not major issues, environmentalists are still watching to make sure nothing major occurs within the soil that could be impacted by erosion and compaction. • There are programs within Herkimer County to help educate students about the environment, what they can do now, and what they can do in the future. High school students in the county are heavily involved in the Envirothon. There are also some programs within the Herkimer Soil and Water Conservation to educate students. The Herkimer Soil and Water Conservation has a farm and home safety day, local Envirothon, NYS Envirothon, and a Conservation Field Day all to help educate students (Herkimer County SWCD).

9. Water • Water protects your heart, boosts the brain, saves money, helps you lose weight, and keeps you alert (Grace). Fresh water is one of the most vital resources and when it is polluted, it is not only devastating to the environment, but also for human health. • Herkimer County is part of two watersheds; the Black River Watershed and the Mohawk River Watershed. • In the Mohawk River Watershed, the good and poor water quality is about the same. In this watershed the percentage for good water quality is 21 % and poor quality is 20 %. • In the Black River Watershed, the good and poor water quality varies more. In this watershed the percentage for good water quality is 23 % and poor quality is 61 %. • Overall, the water quality in Herkimer County tends to be good. See “County Environmental Health Indicators” for more information on the watersheds that Herkimer County is in.

10. Sociological Aspects • During the years that there were dramatic changes, many people were moving into the area because there were many industries starting to open up and people were moving into the area and buying homes (Turnpike). When the industries began to close, the population began to decrease because many people moved out of the area. • The current population in Herkimer County is older people who have grown up in the county and stayed throughout their lives (Herkimer Population). • The current population also tends to be people that do not have a higher education. Many people with college educations have moved out of the area and into areas with more jobs and more complex jobs. • The median value of home in the county is around $92,300, while the New York State average is $295,300 (Census Bureau). • In Herkimer County, the average income per capita is $23,129, while the New York State average is $32,104 (Census Bureau). • According the Census Bureau, in 2011 the private nonfarm employment was 11,659. In 2011, New York State was 7,369,731. The farms that are now in the county are very large and can accommodate many jobs. • Herkimer County tries to provide its residents opportunities by providing art centers, education, and transportation by highways, bus, air, water, and railway. Herkimer County also has many small health care facilities (Herkimer County Chamber).

11. Background • Herkimer County is a rural county located in central New York State. It is 1,411.47 square miles, which is the longest county in New York. Forty- seven of the 1,411.47 square miles is water. • The density of Herkimer County is 44.25 people per square mile and the population 64, 519 people. • Herkimer County is northwest of Albany and east of Syracuse. The northern part of the county is in the Adirondack Park and the Mohawk River flows through the southern part of the county. • Herkimer County was created on February 16, 1791. The village of Herkimer in Herkimer County became the town seat. • In 1794, Onondaga County was split off of Herkimer County to form a new county. Parts of Herkimer County were also taken to form Chenango and Oneida County in 1798. In 1802 parts of Herkimer were taken to help form St. Lawrence County. Herkimer County as we now know it was formed in 1817. It now extends from the Adirondacks to the Mohawk Valley. • The northern part of the county is known for its wood products and recreational opportunities. The southern portion is better known for agriculture and production of dairy products. Additionally, Herkimer is known for producing quartz crystals, commonly known as “Herkimer Diamonds”. Ilion, a town in Herkimer County has one of the two production sites of Remington Arms Company. • Herkimer County’s sprawling size may have resulted in the environmental issues within and surrounding the county. Some of these issues include lead poisoning, lack of healthy water and pollutants from old factories, which have all lead to cancer. Although there are numerous current health issues, none have been so daunting to have caused people to move out of the area and has not stopped others from moving to the area. • Although few people have left the area because of environmental or health issues, many have left because of the lack of available jobs. In the past, many people had jobs in factories, but with the majority of the factories now closed, the number of jobs has decreased dramatically.

12. Air Quality Comparisons

13. Superfund Sites A superfund site is any land that has been contaminated by toxic waste and identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a candidate for cleanup because it poses as a risk to health and the environment (EPA). Some of the issues that people are watching about the superfund sites are cleanup funding, supervising and imposing institutional controls, enhanced statistics and public information, and the need for self-governing assessment (RFF). In Herkimer County, there are two superfund sites: Hiteman Leather and Crumb Trailer Park. At the Hiteman Leather site, there is chromium contamination in the soil and water. The Hiteman Leather Company used to operate a tannery which has caused the contamination. It was deemed a superfund site on January 1, 1999. In 2006, a remediation plan was developed that included excavation and dredging of the soils and wetlands in the area. The cleanup was finished by 2008 (EPA). The Crumb Trailer Park is connected to Hiteman Leather. In 1996, New York State Department of Health found inorganic contaminants at high levels. The contaminants came from the Hiteman Leather Operation. The Crumb Trailer Park site used to collect the waste materials from the tannery. Unlike Hiteman Leather, there is not much remediation. The EPA plans to cover the existing land with more soil and remove the trailers (EPA).

14. Climate Smart Communities A climate smart community is an unprecedented state-local affiliation to congregate the financial, social and environmental challenges that climate change causes for New York's local governments. There are no climate smart communities within Herkimer County. A community would not work to become a climate smart community because they may think it is too much work, the community might not be able to assist, or for economic reasons. In order to persuade people in the county to work to become climate smart communities, citizens could have educational workshops and they can protest. Citizens can also hold meetings to raise awareness. Herkimer County is not a climate smart community

15. Energy • The non-hydro renewables are mainly the wind farms. There has been lots of public resistance towards them. • http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/11/herkimer_county_residents_sue.html

16. Recommendations • Continue to monitor the erosion and compaction in soils • Try to reduce the pollutants entering the watersheds • Consider becoming a climate smart community

17. Part of Herkimer County was included in the Macomb’s Purchase, 4/23/1791 Herkimer County was created, 2/16/1791 Onondaga was split off of Herkimer County, 1794 Parts of Herkimer County were taken to help form St. Lawrence County, 1802 Erie Canal was created, 10/26/1825 Adirondack Scenic Railroad was created, 6/14/1905 Frankfort- Highland Airport was created, 1947 Study on the Middleville Tannery Dump Site, 1989 NYS Department of Health found inorganic contaminates at high levels at Crumb Trailer Park, 1996 Hiteman Leather was deemed a superfund site, 1999 Additional visit to Middleville Tannery Dump Site, 2004 EPA asked NYS Department of Health and the CDC to get involved in the Middleville Tannery Dump Site, 2005 Remediation plan was developed to clean up Hiteman Leather Site, 2006 Cleanup of Hiteman Leather Site completed, 2008 ATSDR released a statement concerning the 2005 EPA study, 2010 Residents sue over wind turbines, 11/27/2012 There were reports of four diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in children, 11/25/2013 Unusual cancer clusters publicized, 4/8/2014 Timeline of Herkimer County

18. Methods • Gathered information from various reliable internet sources • Interviewed county experts including a technician from Herkimer County Soil and Water Conservation

19. Bibliography • U.S. Census Bureau. 2014. “United States Census Bureau : State and County QuickFacts : Herkimer County, New York.” January 6.http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/36043.html. • “10 Reasons Why Coal Is a Good Energy Source:”http://www.coaleducation.org/q&a/10_reasons_why_coal.htm. • Alexander, Lamar, Sen. “Top 10 Reasons Nuclear Power Will Be They Key to America’s Energy Future.”http://thehill.com/special-reports/energy-a-environment-september-2010/120419-top-10-reasons-nuclear-power-will-be-the-key-to-americas-energy-future. • “County Health Rankings.”http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/new-york/2013/herkimer/county/outcomes/overall/snapshot/by-rank. • DeNoon, Daniel J. “Lead Poisoning: What It Is, How to Test, What to Do.” WebMD.http://www.webmd.com/children/news/20070815/lead-poisoning-and-kids. • “Dioxin .” United States Environmental Protection Agency. http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/CFM/nceaQFind.cfm?keyword=Dioxin. • “Dioxins and Their Effects on Human Health.” 2010.World Health Organization - Media Centre. May.http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs225/en/. • Eisenstadt, Marnie. 2013. “Flooding: Twice- Flooded Residents in Herkimer Are Bracing for More Rain”, July 2.http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/07/flooding_twice-flooded_residen.html. • Lallanilla, Marc. 2013. “What Are Greenhouse Gases?”, June 27. http://www.livescience.com/37821-greenhouse-gases.html. • “National Association of Counties : Find A County .”http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. • “OUR VIEW: Herkimer County Deserves Answers .”http://www.uticaod.com/x2132760595/OUR-VIEW-Herkimer-County-deserves-answers/?tag=2. • “Scorecard.” Scorecard.http://scorecard.goodguide.com/env-releases/county.tcl?fips_county_code=36043#major_chemical_releases. • Tim , Knauss. “Herkimer County Residents Sue Iberdrola over Wind Farm.”