On 9/8/22, pulmonary fibrosis claimed the life of my 23-year-old son, Gavin, who had received a diagnosis in early 2020. A professional skateboarder, he embodied health and athleticism but suffered rapid deterioration and significant weight loss. My thorough research revealed contamination in the Riis Houses NYC, our residence. Situated near a ComEd plant with an underground old MGP (manufacturing Gas plant), this under-publicized problem has attracted the attention of environmentalists. Cancer prevalence in this area is disturbingly high; during my time at Riis, I faced two consecutive cancer diagnoses.
These past years have been rife with health-related challenges for both my son and me. The aging buildings lack proper plumbing, code adherence, and effective inspections. The conducted inspections often fall short of standards, and work within and around the building lacks adherence to protocols and transparency with tenants. Gavin's hospitalization placed him on his deathbed the day after admission, coinciding with the breaking news on his room's television. This constitutes a crisis. The water is undrinkable, and Mayor Eric Adams's claims about the arsenic scare were misleading. Numerous individuals, including a woman who passed away three weeks after my son, suffered exposure to arsenic levels exceeding the legal limit in the water, which contributed to her demise. Tenants possess evidence of water contamination, debunking the mayor's assertions of resolution. The true state of affairs contradicts the mayor's stance, and tenants, who directly experienced the situation, are the most reliable sources.
The area's children face exposure to lead, asbestos, and construction dust due to ongoing construction activities.
