The Council of Greater Manhasset Civic Associations has adopted a resolution to urge the MLWD to support efforts against the EPS’s re-registration of the chemical known as Pentachlorophenol, more commonly known as PENTA.
Utility companies continue to tout their continued use of toxic PENTA laden poles based on the EPA’s registered use of PENTA on utilizy poles as an endorsement of safe utilization when in fact it is well documented that PENTA is a toxic chemical. Great Neck, Manhasset and Port Washington now have brand new huge utility poles installed that have been PENTA treated. That registration is due to expire. Historically on a national basis, there may indeed be less potential for human exposure in some more remote desolate areas of the United States. However, the known PENTA toxicity must be restricted from use in urban and suburban environments such as Long Island, where humans have far greater potential for direct contact with the poles, and any chemical that we permit to leach into our groundwater places future risk to our public drinking water supply.
Greater Council supports further restrictions on the wide and common use of PENTA on utility poles in urban settings and regions that rely on ground water supply for its public drinking water. We join the many who suggest Long Island’s utilities should be buried underground, and until such funding barriers canbe resolved, urge use of safer alternative non-chemical composite solutions such as those chosen by the Long Island Rail Road, clearly and cleanly installed in the Port Washington, Manhasset, and Great Neck areas. These alternative poles leach no harmful chemicals near pedestrians or into the ground. They do not smell during high temperature months, and can be brought into tight areas without destroying property with heavy equipment and cutting of trees.
We urge the MLWD to join other local Long Island water districts in taking public action to the EPA because there are properties that are also close to wells and pumping stations that increase potential for exposure to residents. We urge MLWD to write to the EPA supporting a ban and/or additional restrictions on the use of PENTA as it currently used in urban and suburban locations.
Richard Bentley,
President Council of Greater Manhasset Civic Associations, Inc.
