ICYMI: Northport Middle School Had 'Toxic' Contaminants: Lawsuit

NORTHPORT, NY — A lawsuit claiming the Northport Middle School building and grounds have been contaminated with "toxic and/or hazardous substances" for many years was filed against the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District last week.

The district "knew or should have known about the presence" of contaminants including volatile and semi-volatile organic chemicals, heavy metals, mold and pesticides, in the air, water and soil of the school grounds, according to the lawsuit, which was filed Sept. 3. Many former students "developed cancer and other serious illnesses," but "all continue to live with the fear of developing latent symptoms and related injuries later in life as a result of their toxic exposure at the School," the lawsuit says.

Northport Middle School graduates face a heightened risk serious health conditions, including cancer; brain, kidney and lung damage; immune system and central nervous system disorders; and endocrine disruption, the lawsuit claims.

The district received the lawsuit and is currently reviewing it with its attorneys.

"Over the course of the past few years the District has conducted extensive environmental testing and remediation, most recently conducted by P.W. Grosser Consulting, Inc. in consultation with representatives from the New York State Department of Health, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, as well as members of the community and the Northport-East Northport School District," the district said in a statement. "This information is available to the public and can be found on the district's website."

The middle school reopened recently for the first time since January. An environmental firm deemed the school safe to occupy in a June report but issued several recommendations. The school closed earlier in the year after high levels of mercury and benzene were found in sanitary systems.

Over the years, the district has received numerous complaints from teachers, staff and students regarding noxious odors, nausea, headaches, dizziness, asthma attacks, skin, eye and respiratory irritation and other adverse health symptoms they suffered at the school, the lawsuit claims.

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