OWEGO, NY (CortacaToday) – Health officials in Tioga County have deemed property in Owego an imminent threat to public health.

The seven acres in question is the site of the former Tioga Casting Facility in the village. Currently monitored by the DEC, it’s a level four in the Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites. In July, it was re-evaluated by the DEC, which maintains the area is only fit for industrial and commercial use.

After a complaint, Tioga County Public Health investigators say they found people living on the remaining six acres outside of the building grounds, as well as garbage, raw sewage, toxic materials, and soil contaminated with cadmium and lead.

Short-term exposure to cadmium and lead is associated with respiratory distress; flu-like symptoms; gastrointestinal disturbances; abdominal pain; headaches; and fatigue. Prolonged exposure is associated with cognitive impairment, anemia, kidney damage, hypertension, reproductive toxicity, bone demineralization, lung cancer, and prostate cancer.

Tioga County Public Health has been working with county officials and community partners to help the people there relocate.

“We recognize this is a sensitive issue with many facets,” said Tioga County Public Health Director Heather Vroman. “However, first and foremost, it is the mission of Tioga County Public Health to protect the health and safety of the community and all those living here. Once it was brought to our department’s attention that people were living in temporary structures on the site and may be exposed to hazardous pollutants we acted immediately.”

According to Tioga County Commissioner of Social Services Shawn Yetter, temporary assistance is available for anyone relocating from the property.