Radiation "hot spots" discovered in NYC

  Eyewitness News

(Staten Island - WABC, September 21, 2006) (WABC) -- There is a disturbing and potentially dangerous find on Staten Island: radioactive material found after an aerial search.

Anti-terrorism officials were conducting an aerial survey in 2005 of the city's radiation sources in preparation for a "dirty bomb" attack. That survey showed dangerously high levels of radium at Gateway National Recreation Area in Great Kills, according to officials.

According to the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, officials found 80 "hot spots" around the city.

The GAO report found that the survey picked up sources of low-level radiation from expected places, like granite statues and medical isotopes at hospitals, but it also found dozens of other sources of unexpected radioactivity.

"NYPD officials indicated that the survey was tremendously valuable because it identified more than 80 locations with radiological sources that required further investigation to determine their risk," the report said.

The Staten Island site was closed, and NY has requested federal money to do a citywide aerial survey every year to update the information.

National Park Service spokesman Brian Feeney said the area is a one-acre piece of the 570-acre Great Kills Park, part of the larger Gateway park. Feeney says people are not in danger because the area is not accessible to the public.

"We keep people out of that area. It's a non-accessible area of the park, no one can get in there ... There's no health hazard now, there was never a health hazard to the public," he added.

The radiation found there reportedly comes from a piece of industrial equipment or pieces of old rusty metal.

Staten Island Congressman Vito Fossella (R) issued a statement on the discovery of radium:

"I am concerned by the findings of this report and the potential health impacts on nearby residents. We have only minimal information at this time based on a brief description in the GAO report. It is important for the public to remain calm while we work quickly to learn more details."

Meanwhile, New York Senator Chuck Schumer (D) called the report further proof that federal officials are not doing enough to help cities with anti-terrorism precautions.

"[the hot spot mapping] should also be shared with cities across the country, not mothballed because the Homeland Security Department doesn't want to put up the money," Schumer said.

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