Niagara Falls school radioactivity testing, Digi Mart USA News (Niagara Falls, New York): Federal and state environmental regulators who have spent months examining radioactive hotspots across Western New York are now planning to conduct testing at a private elementary school in Niagara Falls.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state Department of Environmental Conservation recently advised administrators at the Catholic Academy of Niagara Falls, located at Prince of Peace church on Military Road, about “elevated readings” from an initial radiological survey conducted on school property in September.
The tests are scheduled for Wednesday, which is Veterans Day, a federal holiday when school is not in session.
In a school newsletter sent to parents this week, administrators said the initial screening prompted “further exterior assessment.” The newsletter stated that the initial screening results do not indicate a threat to the health and safety of parents or children, and it described the cause of the elevated readings as “unknown.” It said the readings could result from “variations in radiological materials in natural rocks and soils and building materials” and “do not necessarily indicate the presence of contamination.”
The letter warned parents to expect “zones” set up on school grounds as well as “people in yellow safety vests and white hazard suits.” It also said, “During testing, there is no risk to students (school is not in session) or the public.”
The DEC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Representatives from Prince of Peace School also did not immediately respond to inquiries from the Niagara Gazette, which left a message requesting comment from a member of the administration on Thursday morning.
The concerns are personal for Daniel and Jocelyn McKiernan, a Niagara Falls couple whose 4-year-old son, Emmitt, attends Prince of Peace. The McKiernans have moved out of their home on 99th Street after months of disputes with DEC and EPA representatives following the discovery of heavy metals in their backyard during a summer pool installation project.
The couple visited the school on Thursday morning and said staff told them the principal and vice principal were unavailable. They were also told that one administrator has a map of areas requiring additional testing, but that the document could not be shared unless the administrator chose to do so.
Daniel McKiernan said, “What they are saying is it’s on the property, around the school. They haven’t informed us where this is.” The McKiernans said they were also told no testing has been done inside the school building, and they are calling on school officials, the DEC and the EPA to perform interior testing.
Jocelyn McKiernan said parents received a follow-up text message from school officials assuring them their children have been and continue to be in a safe setting while attending classes. “We as parents have a right to know what our children are being exposed to.
It would be the same thing if it was asbestos or lead,” she said.
The McKiernans have gathered local supporters in their effort to convince the DEC and EPA to authorize formal relocation for their family, including their 7-year-old son, Wyatt, who has a severe chromosomal abnormality, encephalitis and a seizure disorder. Last month, the couple filed a formal complaint with the federal government requesting an investigation into how New York state handled concerns they raised about contamination at their residence near the Love Canal containment site.
In the complaint, they allege DEC and state health department officials wrongfully denied their repeated relocation requests, disrupting Wyatt’s state-mandated, in-home health care services.
On Thursday, Jocelyn McKiernan said she is not comfortable, given the limited information provided so far, allowing Emmitt to continue attending classes at Prince of Peace. She wants assurances from state and federal officials that testing will also be performed inside the building.
“Our children’s lives matter. The staff in that school matters and this is unacceptable,” she said.
“How are we supposed to keep our children safe or ourselves in this city when this is everywhere?” she added.
