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| Environment America |
The investigation was sparked by revelations that telecommunication companies had abandoned vast networks of leaded cables decades ago all over the United States, either above or below ground, and even under water.
“Lead-covered cables pose a serious threat to communities across New York, and I am directing state agencies to immediately launch a full investigation,” the governor said. “We will hold the telecommunication companies responsible and take swift action to remediate any problems."
The state’s Public Service and Environmental Conservation departments sent a letter this week to 246 facilities-based telecommunications providers seeking a full inventory of their lead-coated cables, whether or not they’re still in use.
As the issue came to light, share prices of Verizon and AT&T, the nation’s two largest telecom companies, tumbled.
Hochul dispatched DEC and health department investigators to the village of Wappingers Falls in Dutchess County to test the soil at a local playground underneath an aerial cable where the elevated presence of lead was reported. They’re expected to expand testing at other sites as the probe progresses.
Used in many applications, including water pipes and batteries, lead is hazardous to human health, especially to children, who can suffer brain damage and developmental disabilities if they come in contact with it. Lead has been banned in house paint since 1978, yet the element persists in many homes and apartments. It’s also been long-banned as a gasoline additive.