What are effects of chemicals in LeRoy?

LeROY, N.Y. (WIVB) - Last week, News 4 confirmed the area where a train derailed in the 1970's is contaminated with a potentially dangerous chemical. Now we're digging deeper into the possible effects this could have on some members of the community.

30,000 gallons of that chemical spilled and quickly seeped into the ground water and soil. We've learned the effects are widespread - from a simple headache to the extreme, which is cancer.

More than 40 years after the train derailment and chemical spill in LeRoy, the site is still contaminated with a toxic chemical called Tri-Chloro-Ethene, or TCE, as it's more commonly known.

Paul Kostyniak, chair of the University at Buffalo Bio-Technical and Clinical Lab Sciences Department, says the long-term effects of exposure could cause cancer.

"Several organs have been involved, including primarily the liver, but also the kidney and other types of tumor as well," said Kostyniak.

The New York State Department of Health reports exposure to high levels of TCE could also affect the central nervous system and could cause developmental and reproductive problems.

"The risk goes up with potential exposure. So the degree of exposure really dictates the probability of getting a given effect," he said.

The contamination is isolated to a four-mile area, east of the 1970 derailment site. The highest level of water contamination, according to a consulting agency, is near Neid Road and Flint Hill Road.

Less and less of the chemical is found in water further away from the site. About four miles away is LeRoy High School, where at least 15 cases of conversion disorder have been diagnosed.

The community recruited famed environmental activist Erin Brockovich, who has been poking for a connection. Both the diagnosing doctor and the EPA do not believe there is one.

The EPA says the public is not at risk, since neighbors have been taken off of well water. They are still running tests of soil and other materials from the site to see if they are hazardous.

No update has been released as to where they'll be disposed.