Health Dept. to speak on cancer rates

TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Neighbors in Tonawanda are going to be asking the state health department questions about high rates of cancer in their community.

Two weeks ago, the Department of Health released a study showing disturbing levels of birth defects and cancer near the Tonawanda industrial corridor. Neighbors last week at a meeting with the Clean Air Coalition were outraged by the results of the study.

Town of Tonawanda resident Cheryl Viola said, “There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the people I know, the young people with the rare cancers that all come from the Town of Tonawanda, are sick from the environment.”

Tuesday night’s public meeting is at the Sheridan Parkside Community Center at 7 p.m.