As DEP test results loom, Keyport residents voice concerns about suspected cancer cluster
Growing Cancer Concerns Draw Keyport Residents Together for Community Discussion
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Residents gathered Wednesday evening in Keyport to discuss ongoing concerns about a suspected cancer cluster linked to the former Aeromarine landfill.
The Waterspirit organization provided community members with another opportunity to share information and concerns outside of Borough Council meetings. Waterspirit’s mission focuses on protecting water resources and promoting environmental stewardship.
Many residents are awaiting answers from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, which conducted landfill sampling and testing last month.
“Hopefully getting some answers from the DEP soon as to what the levels are at the testing site and if they’ve impacted other areas,” said Keyport resident Nicole Henn.
Recent reports indicate the landfill may never have been properly sealed, raising concerns that toxic contaminants could have spread into surrounding areas. Community worries have also been amplified by online maps tracking reported cancer diagnoses in the borough.
One map, created by a Keyport resident, documents reported cancer cases throughout the community. Henn, who has lived in Keyport for 20 years, said the issue is personal for her family. Her daughter, now 16, is a cancer survivor.
“I’ll never know what caused my daughter’s cancer, but knowing how many people in this community — it’s a small community, we’re about 7,500 — so the fact that there’s 400 and growing is alarming to us,” Henn said.
Earlier this month, News 12 New Jersey requested results from the DEP’s testing efforts. While residents wait for those findings, some have taken matters into their own hands by paying for independent testing.
Salvatore Liguori, who has been diagnosed with leukemia, said testing he commissioned detected benzene.
“They did find benzene, and there’s proven linkage that benzene is linked to leukemia, which I’ve been diagnosed with,” Liguori said.
The DEP has said results from its landfill testing are expected to be released by the end of the month. Residents say they hope the findings will provide answers about potential environmental risks and whether contamination played a role in the growing number of reported cancer cases in the community.
