© 2024 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace
Buffalo, NY 14202

Mailing Address:
Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263
Buffalo, NY 14240-1263

Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000
WBFO Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040
Your NPR Station
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Donate Today Banner

Press Pass: Putting the spotlight on radioactive waste

Pockets of radioactive waste have been identified at mostly- residential locations in Niagara County and on Grand Island. Dan Telvock, who recently reported on the story for Investigative Post.org, shared details during WBFO's Press Pass.
 

The waste comes in the form of slag, the byproduct of former processes found at area chemical companies. Telvock says the material was used "to gravel driveways. to gravel parking lots to gravel underneath roads. Some have found it in flower beds."

While some debate the dangers involved, the level of measured radioactivity is notable.

"The amounts that they were finding ranged anywhere from triple to 70 times what's in the natural environment."

In some cases, officials have been able to identify the companies that may have been responsible for the radioactive material. For the most part, cleanup plans remain unclear.
 

Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Jay joined Buffalo Toronto Public Media in 2008 and has been local host for NPR's "Morning Edition" ever since. In June, 2022, he was named one of the co-hosts of WBFO's "Buffalo, What's Next."

A graduate of St. Mary's of the Lake School, St. Francis High School and Buffalo State College, Jay has worked most of his professional career in Buffalo. Outside of public media, he continues in longstanding roles as the public address announcer for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League and as play-by-play voice of Canisius College basketball.