9/29/12

Joseph Martens, Commissioner
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Albany, New York USA
Transmitted by electronic mail

Dear Commissioner Martens,

I have expert knowledge on the subject of chemical exposure cancer causation.  It is most clear that the extraction of shale gas will increase the exposure of New York State residents to chemical carcinogens, including:  formaldehyde, benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), diesel exhaust particulates and radionuclides. Exposures to these chemicals have been associated with increased cancer risk.

Cancer exists at epidemic levels throughout the industrialized world. Cancer incidence continues to rise worldwide.  It is unreasonable to take actions that result in significant increases in exposures to chemicals that cause cancer in a time of global cancer epidemic and increasing incidence of cancer.

You must act upon your responsibility to protect the environment and public health.  Please set about creating a regulatory ban against shale gas extraction in New York State.  Such an action would demonstrate the capacity of government to stand up to corporate pressure when public health is threatened by polluting activities. The people of New York State are watching to see if this is the kind of government that we have.  If you show New Yorkers that government is unable to provide this protection, you will find that the result is loss of your position as a government official.  There must be accountability for failure to act for the protection of the environment and public health.  Such accountability is a necessity of good governance.

joyous in Nature-Viva the Revolution,

Donald L. Hassig

Donald L. Hassig, Director
Cancer Action NY
Cancer Action News Network
P O Box 340
Colton, NY USA 13625
315.262.2456