Five town governments in St. Lawrence County have placed cancer prevention information explaining how to minimize exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on their websites, according long-time Cancer Action NY spokesperson Donald Hassig.

Hassig said the towns of DeKalb, Russell, Oswegatchie, Lisbon and Colton have posted links to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, "Persistent Organic Pollutants: Impact on Child Health," on their websites

Hassig has been appealing to local municipalities for more than a year to help inform the public regarding the possible effects of exposure to persistent organic pollutants.

"Every parent and caregiver who is responsible for feeding children should visit the town websites and learn how to reduce the chronic disease risk imposed upon children by POPs exposure," Hassig said in a written statement. "The towns of St. Lawrence County are joining into the work of cancer prevention education in a truly inspiring way. They are demonstrating their respect for scientific knowledge and their heart-felt desire to help residents live happy, healthy lives. This is the way government should be everywhere. Honor to the towns of St. Lawrence County.”

Hassig said he will continue his campaign June 19, with a presentation to the Massena Town Board and supervisor Joseph Gray advocating the adoption of a resolution that would authorize the town supervisor to place cancer prevention information on the Town of Massena website.

This information would provide residents access to two WHO reports, "Persistent Organic Pollutants: Impact on Child Health" and "The State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals."

Hassig said it is particularly important that Town of Massena residents learn how to minimize their ongoing exposure to POPs and other endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) due to the fact that Town of Massena residents have a long history of being exposed to PCBs and fluoride as a result of pollutant releases from the aluminum production facilities and the former GM Powertrain facility.

Town websites currently displaying links to the WHO reports follow:

• Town of DeKalb

http://townofdekalb.org/content/Generic/View/11

Click on POPs Impact on Child Health

• Town of Russell

http://www.russellny.org/

• Town of Oswegatchie

http://townofoswegatchie.org/content/News/View/1:field=documents;/content/Documents/File/17.pdf

• Town of Lisbon

http://www.lisbonny.net/CancerEdInfo.html

• Town of Colton

http://www.townofcolton.com/hassig2.pdf