Hypothesis

They found that between 1995 and 2015, adult residents of Staten Island suffered from certain cancers at slightly or moderately higher rates than residents in other boroughs

The article does not make it clear therefore I am not sure why the study was only conducted from 1995 through 2015 because, the Staten Island landfill opened up in 1948 and closed in 2001 making it open for only 53 years. It would make more sense If they conducted the study earlier or compared it to those who have lived near Fresh Kills somewhat close to 1948; but they probably conducted the study in 1995 due to the increase in cancer cases.

Long-nicknamed the “forgotten borough,” Staten Island is the city’s smallest by population. With just under half a million residents, its population represents about 6% of the city’s. It has a lower poverty rate and a higher median household income. Compared to much of the city, which is dense and dotted with skyscrapers, Staten Island is more suburban, with many single-family homes and few tall buildings. It’s also less diverse; about 60% of Staten Islanders identify as White according to recent Census estimates, compared to 32% in the rest of the city. #g-ai2html-graphic-box .g-artboard { margin:0 auto; } #g-ai2html-graphic-box .g-artboard p { margin:0; } .g-aiAbs { position:absolute; } .g-aiImg { display:block; width:100% !important; } .g-aiPointText p { white-space: nowrap; } /* Custom CSS */ /* RESPONSIVENESS */ /* defaults: show desktop, hide all else */ div[id="g-ai2html-graphic-special"].g-artboard { display: inline-block; } div[id="g-ai2html-graphic-desktop"].g-artboard { display: none; } div[id="g-ai2html-graphic-fullwidth"].g-artboard { display: none; } div[id="g-ai2html-graphic-mobile375"].g-artboard { display: none; } div[id="g-ai2html-graphic-mobile320"].g-artboard { display: none; } /* show desktop on < 800px, hide all else */ @media (max-width: 800px) { div[id="g-ai2html-graphic-desktop"].g-artboard { display: inline-block; } div[id="g-ai2html-graphic-special"].g-artboard { display: none; } } /* show mobile375 on < 640px, hide all else */ @media (max-width: 640px) { div[id="g-ai2html-graphic-mobile375"].g-artboard { display: inline-block; } div[id="g-ai2html-graphic-desktop"].g-artboard { display: none; } } /* show mobile320 on < 350px, hide all else */ @media (max-width: 350px) { div[id="g-ai2html-graphic-mobile320"].g-artboard { display: inline-block; } div[id="g-ai2html-graphic-mobile375"].g-artboard { display: none; } } #g-ai2html-graphic-mobile320 { position:relative; overflow:hidden; } #g-ai2html-graphic-mobile320 p { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-weight:300; font-style:normal; font-size:12px; line-height:12px; filter:alpha(opacity=100); -ms-filter:progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.Alpha(Opacity=100); opacity:1; letter-spacing:0.045em; text-align:left; color:rgb(166,166,166); text-transform:none; padding-bottom:0; padding-top:0; mix-blend-mode:normal; } #g-ai2html-graphic-mobile320 .g-pstyle0 { font-style:italic; text-align:center; } #g-ai2html-graphic-mobile320 .g-pstyle1 { font-weight:500; font-size:14px; line-height:14px; text-align:center; } #g-ai2html-graphic-mobile320 .g-pstyle2 { font-weight:500; font-size:14px; line-height:14px; text-align:center; color:rgb(0,0,0); } #g-ai2html-graphic-mobile320 .g-pstyle3 { font-style:italic; text-align:center; color:rgb(0,0,0); } #g-ai2html-graphic-mobile320 .g-pstyle4 { font-weight:500; text-align:right; color:rgb(0,0,0); } #g-ai2html-graphic-mobile320 .g-pstyle5 { font-weight:500; font-style:italic; line-height:13px; text-align:center; color:rgb(0,0,0); } #g-ai2html-graphic-mobile320 .g-pstyle6 { font-weight:700; font-size:13px; line-height:14px; text-align:center; color:rgb(0,0,0); } #g-ai2html-graphic-mobile320 .g-pstyle7 { font-family:'CNN Condensed',CNN,'CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size:10px; color:rgb(0,0,0); } BERGEN CO. N.J. N.Y. HUDSON CO. MANHATTAN ESSEX CO. Ground Zero UNION CO. BROOKLYN STATEN ISLAND Fresh Kills area 3 miles 3 km #g-ai2html-graphic-mobile375 { position:relative; overflow:hidden; } #g-ai2html-graphic-mobile375 p { font-family:'CNN Condensed',CNN,'CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-weight:300; font-style:normal; font-size:11px; line-height:12px; filter:alpha(opacity=100); -ms-filter:progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.Alpha(Opacity=100); opacity:1; letter-spacing:0.045em; text-align:left; color:rgb(139,209,251); text-transform:none; padding-bottom:0; padding-top:0; mix-blend-mode:normal; } #g-ai2html-graphic-mobile375 .g-pstyle0 { font-style:italic; text-align:center; } #g-ai2html-graphic-mobile375 .g-pstyle1 { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-style:italic; font-size:12px; text-align:center; color:rgb(166,166,166); } #g-ai2html-graphic-mobile375 .g-pstyle2 { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-weight:500; font-size:14px; line-height:14px; text-align:center; color:rgb(166,166,166); } #g-ai2html-graphic-mobile375 .g-pstyle3 { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-weight:500; font-size:14px; line-height:14px; text-align:center; color:rgb(0,0,0); } #g-ai2html-graphic-mobile375 .g-pstyle4 { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-style:italic; font-size:12px; text-align:center; color:rgb(0,0,0); } #g-ai2html-graphic-mobile375 .g-pstyle5 { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-weight:500; font-size:12px; text-align:right; color:rgb(0,0,0); } #g-ai2html-graphic-mobile375 .g-pstyle6 { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-weight:500; font-style:italic; font-size:12px; line-height:13px; text-align:center; color:rgb(0,0,0); } #g-ai2html-graphic-mobile375 .g-pstyle7 { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-weight:700; font-size:13px; line-height:14px; text-align:center; color:rgb(0,0,0); } #g-ai2html-graphic-mobile375 .g-pstyle8 { font-size:10px; color:rgb(0,0,0); } Hudson River BERGEN CO. NEW JERSEY NEW YORK HUDSON CO. MANHATTAN ESSEX CO. Ground Zero Upper New York Bay UNION CO. BROOKLYN STATEN ISLAND Fresh Kills area Lower New York Bay 3 miles 3 km #g-ai2html-graphic-desktop { position:relative; overflow:hidden; } #g-ai2html-graphic-desktop p { font-family:'CNN Condensed',CNN,'CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-weight:300; font-style:normal; font-size:11px; line-height:12px; filter:alpha(opacity=100); -ms-filter:progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.Alpha(Opacity=100); opacity:1; letter-spacing:0.045em; text-align:left; color:rgb(139,209,251); text-transform:none; padding-bottom:0; padding-top:0; mix-blend-mode:normal; } #g-ai2html-graphic-desktop .g-pstyle0 { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-style:italic; font-size:12px; text-align:center; color:rgb(166,166,166); } #g-ai2html-graphic-desktop .g-pstyle1 { font-style:italic; text-align:center; } #g-ai2html-graphic-desktop .g-pstyle2 { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-weight:500; font-size:14px; line-height:14px; text-align:center; color:rgb(166,166,166); } #g-ai2html-graphic-desktop .g-pstyle3 { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-weight:500; font-size:14px; line-height:14px; text-align:center; color:rgb(0,0,0); } #g-ai2html-graphic-desktop .g-pstyle4 { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-style:italic; font-size:12px; text-align:center; color:rgb(0,0,0); } #g-ai2html-graphic-desktop .g-pstyle5 { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-weight:500; font-size:12px; text-align:right; color:rgb(0,0,0); } #g-ai2html-graphic-desktop .g-pstyle6 { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-weight:500; font-style:italic; font-size:12px; line-height:13px; text-align:center; color:rgb(0,0,0); } #g-ai2html-graphic-desktop .g-pstyle7 { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-weight:700; font-size:13px; line-height:14px; text-align:center; color:rgb(0,0,0); } #g-ai2html-graphic-desktop .g-pstyle8 { font-size:10px; color:rgb(0,0,0); } BERGEN CO. Hudson River NEW JERSEY HUDSON CO. NEW YORK MANHATTAN ESSEX CO. QUEENS Ground Zero Upper New York Bay UNION CO. BROOKLYN STATEN ISLAND Fresh Kills area MIDDLESEX CO. Lower New York Bay 3 miles 3 km Atlantic Ocean #g-ai2html-graphic-special { position:relative; overflow:hidden; } #g-ai2html-graphic-special p { font-family:'CNN Condensed',CNN,'CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-weight:300; font-style:normal; font-size:11px; line-height:12px; filter:alpha(opacity=100); -ms-filter:progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.Alpha(Opacity=100); opacity:1; letter-spacing:0.045em; text-align:left; color:rgb(139,209,251); text-transform:none; padding-bottom:0; padding-top:0; mix-blend-mode:normal; } #g-ai2html-graphic-special .g-pstyle0 { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-style:italic; font-size:12px; text-align:center; color:rgb(166,166,166); } #g-ai2html-graphic-special .g-pstyle1 { font-style:italic; text-align:center; } #g-ai2html-graphic-special .g-pstyle2 { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-weight:500; font-size:14px; line-height:14px; text-align:center; color:rgb(166,166,166); } #g-ai2html-graphic-special .g-pstyle3 { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-weight:500; font-size:14px; line-height:14px; text-align:center; color:rgb(0,0,0); } #g-ai2html-graphic-special .g-pstyle4 { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-style:italic; font-size:12px; text-align:center; color:rgb(0,0,0); } #g-ai2html-graphic-special .g-pstyle5 { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-weight:500; font-size:12px; text-align:right; color:rgb(0,0,0); } #g-ai2html-graphic-special .g-pstyle6 { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-weight:500; font-style:italic; font-size:12px; line-height:13px; text-align:center; color:rgb(0,0,0); } #g-ai2html-graphic-special .g-pstyle7 { font-family:CNN,'CNN Sans Display','CNN Sans','Helvetica Neue',helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-weight:700; font-size:13px; line-height:14px; text-align:center; color:rgb(0,0,0); } #g-ai2html-graphic-special .g-pstyle8 { font-size:10px; color:rgb(0,0,0); }

A year ago I learned that Staten Island was labeled as the "forgotten borough". I also know that the other boroughs don't claim us as apart of New York City. As of 2021, Staten Islands population is 474,893. More than 75% of Staten Islanders identify as white, 10% as black or African American, 7% as Asian, 17% as Hispanic or Latino, .4% as American Indian or Alaska Native, .2% as other race, and 2% as more than two or more races.

n a statement, state health department spokeswoman Erin Silk said the report’s findings suggested that “practices in the medical care system may be influencing thyroid cancer incidence on Staten Island” and that health care providers should avoid performing thyroid cancer screenings for people without symptoms and at average risk.

I have never heard of a Physician tell patients not to go get checked for Thyroid cancer, but as explained in the next paragraph the author claims it is dangerous. I know we are dealing with two different parts of the body here but for females, it is usually recommended that by the age of 21 you go and get a pap smear to check for cervical cancer, and it is highly encouraged by gynecologists so I don't see why people should not get checked for thyroid cancer unless they are showing symptoms because most who get checked end up having it.

Nineteen years later, some Staten Islanders fear the inactive landfill and its contents — including the 9/11 debris — is contributing to cancer rates in the borough.

Growing up I had always heard people talk about the Staten Island dump and I had no Idea that it closed down in 2001, I thought it had closed down a couple years after. I also was not aware that most of the debris from 9/11 ended up being moved to the Staten Island dump. I know now that the area where the dump used to be is open to the public, and people walk by or around there sometimes, but I heard it isn't good based off of everything that was there in the past and the radiation that might emit.

Dr. Maaike van Gerwen, an assistant professor of otolaryngology at Mount Sinai, said this is a plausible explanation for the increase in thyroid cancer rates

My father too has problems with his thyroid. I am not too sure exactly what the condition he has is called but I know he takes medication for it. I had to research where exactly the Thyroid was today because I had previously thought that it was located somewhere in the abdominal area. The Thyroid is located right next to the trachea and the Larynx. Also before this year I had no clue what an Otolaryngologist was until I was researching Physicians to shadow, and found out they are doctors that specialize in the ear, throat and mouth. I thought our primary care doctors dealt with those issues. Aditionally Otolaryngology is a very hard specialty to match into because it is very competitive and there are only limited positions.

Borelli, a college student at the time, said Staten Islanders didn’t object to the state’s decision to use Fresh Kills as a recovery area. “We had lost so many of our neighbors,” Borelli said. “It felt like more of a duty than a burden.”

I have read previously that the Staten Island landfill had closed down in March of 2001, but opened back up in September of 2001 Solely for the purpose of Storing all of the debris and remains from 9/11. I am also aware that many family's have lost loved ones on Staten Island and there is a memorial here on Staten Island for those who lived here and lost their life that day. My neighbor down the block from me lost his wife on 9/11 and every year my family and I leave a white rose or yellow rose by their mailbox to show our respect.

David O. Carpenter, who ran the state health department’s research center in the 1980s and now runs the State University of New York at Albany’s Institute for Health and the Environment, said he thinks governments sometimes have incentives to minimize concerns about environmental exposures. “In the case of the landfill, the government wants to make it into a park and wants to be able to say that is no problem,” Carpenter said.

I was thinking the same thing as David O. Carpenter, because many people from Staten Island are saying that they do not feel like they are being heard, and they feel like they are being ignored. Many people are complaining that the Fresh Kills Landfill had something to do with the decline in their health but many Doctors and Researchers are saying that there is no link between the two because the landfill is too broad and there are many other contributing factors. I do not think it is coincidence that these people are being shut out and ignored by the government; meanwhile they are planning to open up a park in the future and want people to think that it is safe, So it only makes sense for them to tell those on Staten Island who have been impacted by the landfill, that other factors are at play rather than telling them that the landfill is a contributing factor.

owever, researchers have found little evidence that the landfill is a contributing factor. City officials have pointed to several other factors, such as smoking and overscreening, as potential causes for the higher cancer rates.

This does not make the most sense because in a previous paragraph the author was saying that there were five most common types of Cancer in the Great Kills area: Bladder, Breast, Kidney, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Thyroid. The author also added that Smoking caused only Bladder and Thyroid cancer, not the others.

More plausible” explanations, the authors wrote, were higher screening rates for thyroid cancer and Staten Islanders’ higher smoking rates. Smoking is a known risk factor for bladder cancer.

The research findings make sense because growing up I would always see multiple neighbors smoke, and in school as young as third grade they would hold assembly's to tell us how harmful tobacco and other drugs were for us. I even remember when I went to Ps.22 there was a lady who would pull us out in groups, and talk to us and show us videos on the effects drugs would have on us if we chose to do them. Thyroid cancer is also one of the most common types of cancer along with Bladder cancer.

The 32-year-old, who said there is no history of cancer in her family, said she worries that living near the former landfill is linked to the breast cancer diagnosis she received last year.

My mother fears the same thing as her except there is a history of cancer in my family. My grandmother from my moms side passed away of Breast Cancer in 2007 and she lived with my parents on Staten Island. The reason why I chose this article is because, I always heard my mother talk about the increase in Cancer and other illnesses for those who lived on Staten Island since the dump was here, and how the air quality is not good.

Annotators

URL