Report Finds New York Officials Aware of Soil Contamination Since 1987

State officials first uncovered evidence of contaminated soil in parts of an upstate New York city about 30 years ago, but didn’t officially warn residents until last month.

An investigation by the Democrat & Chronicle of Rochester found that a state environmental health expert determined in 1987 that people were at risk of lead poisoning after the Geneva Foundry contaminated an adjoining neighborhood.

Ten years later consultants presented additional information to both state and city of Geneva officials that showed toxic contamination was widespread in the neighborhood.

New York environmental officials wrote to the owners of roughly 100 properties near the former foundry site in early October to inform them that their soil contained unsafe amounts of lead or arsenic.

The state will spend $17 million to remove the contaminated soil.

City officials declined to comment.

Information from: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle