Benzene Lawyer - "Residents Demand Old Oil Spill Investigation"

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"Residents Demand Old Oil Spill Investigation"

October 19 , 2006

A rare bone cancer occurs with alarming frequency near the site of a 1950’s oil spill, and local residents demand a comprehensive health study.

“I always looked at it as an act of God. Now I’m sure it’s not,” said Sebastian Pirozzi, who grew up near the old oil spill site. He lost his leg to the rare bone cancer 30 years ago at the age of 14.

In 1950, a tank explosion released millions of gallons of oil containing toxic chemicals such as benzene onto the ground, and into Newtown Creek. Exxon Mobil and other companies have been delaying the cleanup.

Benzene is a known carcinogen that can cause cancer and various other ailments with limited exposure.

Two of Pirozzi’s neighbors, and one man who lived a few blocks away have also developed the disease since the spill.

“It certainly seems the environment could be a factor, especially considering the number of cases near me alone,” Pirozzi said.

Phyllis Nigro moved into the Pirozzi’s apartment when the Pirozzis moved from Brooklyn to Staten Island. Nigro has since died of cancer after a 10-year bout.

“It’s too much of a coincidence,” said Nigro’s daughter, Lisa Pezzella.

Pezella, and Pirozzi have joined the $58 billion lawsuit filed earlier this year against Exxon Mobil Corp. and several other oil companies who had something to do with the spill.

Sarcoma bone cancers are rare, with only 24 cases diagnosed each year in all of New York City. They account for less than one percent of all cancer cases. “You don’t see three in one block,” said metal detoxification expert Dr. Isaac Eliaz. “Someone should be paying attention to this.”

State officials told local residents at a packed meeting in September they did not intend to conduct a study.

Exxon Mobil conducted their own study last month in which they found benzene and methane vapors underground, but they never disclosed just how much, said Alan Ripka, one of the lawyers involved in filing the $58 billion suit.

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