NEW YORK, NY – Cynthia Nixon released a statement on the Bennington Collegereport, which found that water contamination in Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh, NY has lead to far higher rates of cancer than Governor Cuomo’s Health Department had previously reported. Cynthia traveled to Hoosick Falls in April to discuss the poisoning with residents.

“Today’s announcement  shows that Governor Cuomo is not doing nearly enough to take care of this community. They deserve a new source of drinking water, long term health monitoring and a governor who will put the needs of residents before polluters,” said Cynthia. “No family should have to live through what these people have had to endure. As a parent, I cannot imagine having to wonder about whether giving your child a glass of water could have put them at risk of future sickness. It is deeply troubling that the New York State Health Department, an agency that exists to protect our health, knew about this problem and did not tell local residents about it – and when they finally did, that their study was so flawed. We need a state government that puts the health of our people over the interests of corporate polluters.”

As governor, Cynthia Nixon will require state and local health departments to rapidly inform local residents of risks to drinking water within 24 hours of learning of a problem. She will also accelerate the state Superfund cleanup. If the polluters fail to cooperate, she will bring in the New York State Attorney General’s office to secure full funding for the cleanup. Additionally, she will establish a health monitoring program, similar to what was put in place after 9/11, so doctors can carefully monitor the health of residents who consumed contaminated water.

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