Did a chemical spill from a train derailment four decades ago have anything to do with an illness that’s causing uncontrollable outbursts and twitching in 15 girls and one boy in Le Roy, New York?
Bob Bowcock, an environmental water specialist associated with famed environmental activist Erin Brockovich, went to the derailment site Saturday to test for contaminants.
During a web exclusive interview Monday night, Bowcock told HLN’s Dr. Drew that an Environmental Protection Agency associate told him by phone “They basically admitted that it's been a while since they've been out there. They haven't even updated the case since 2008,” adding that the consultant for the party responsible for the spill had been out on the site.
Dr. Drew “Did they drop the ball?”
Bowcock: “They pretty much dropped the ball.”
Dr. Drew: "Did they admit they dropped the ball?"
Bowcock: "They didn’t say that we dropped the ball … but they did say it’s been a long time since…”
Bowcock then added: “They actually kind of did say they dropped the ball. It's been four years since they’ve been out there."
When asked to respond to Bowcock's claims, EPA spokeswoman Mary Mears told HLN that "No, we really don't have much to say at this point."
Earlier this week, the EPA released a statement, saying:
"The EPA is aware of the parents and community’s concerns and we are working closely with the school district and all of the involved state agencies to give them information related to the Lehigh Valley Derailment Superfund site about four miles from the school.
While EPA is gathering information about actions that took place at the Lehigh site before the site became a federal Superfund site, we do not believe pollution from either site is impacted the school. As we gather all of the facts, we will keep the community, our state partners and the school district up to date. In addition, there is another Superfund site about 10 miles east of the school that EPA also believes has no impact on the school."
The EPA says one ton of cyanide crystals spilled onto the ground in the December 6, 1970, derailment. About 30,000 gallons of the industrial solvent trichloroethene (TCE) was also released from two ruptured tank cars, the agency said.
"I have read and been involved in cases that we have had that TCE can be associated with neurological disorders," Brockovich told Dr. Drew.
The EPA's Superfund website, which provides a progress report of the cleanup done in the area over the past 20 years, said, "Drinking wells in the area were found to have TCE contamination. "Additionally, "Sampling of private wells between 1990 and 1994 detected TCE in approximately 50 wells located east or southeast of the site." The EPA installed water-treatment systems at 37 locations where TCE levels were high. "A water-line extension was selected to provide a safe, potable water supply to all affected residents and businesses," the EPA said.
To follow every update in this developing story, don't miss "Dr. Drew" weeknights at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on HLN and follow on Twitter @DrDrewHLN.
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