Dear Editor,
For residents living near the Seneca Meadows Landfill in Seneca Falls, New York, concerns about air quality and unpleasant odors have become part of the ongoing discussion about the community's health. Residents have reported experiencing headaches, nausea, and other symptoms during periods of strong odors. While these reports do not necessarily establish that the landfill is responsible for these symptoms, they raise concerns that deserve further attention. People should be able to enjoy their homes, spend time outdoors, and feel comfortable in their own community without worrying about the air they breathe.
Water quality is another concern, particularly when considering the potential presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in landfill leachate. These chemicals can persist in the environment and may pose long-term health risks depending on the level and duration of exposure. Proper treatment, groundwater monitoring, and transparency about testing results are important to protecting local water resources. Residents deserve to know that appropriate safeguards are in place to prevent contamination.
Beyond the immediate concerns, we also need to consider what continued landfill operations could mean for future generations. Children and families living near the landfill may spend years in the same environment, making it important to understand and monitor potential long-term exposures. Although the health effects of living near a landfill can vary depending on environmental conditions and actual exposure levels, these concerns should not be overlooked when making decisions that could affect the community for decades.
We also recognize that Seneca Meadows provides financial benefits to the community, including revenue that helps offset local property taxes and support public services. Keeping property taxes affordable is important, especially for families and residents on fixed incomes. However, these benefits should not come at the expense of environmental health. Local officials should consider ways to maintain affordable taxes and fund essential services without continuing to rely on landfill expansion. Residents should not have to choose between financial stability and a healthy environment.
With the proposed expansion of Seneca Meadows Landfill, these concerns become even more important. Extending landfill operations could prolong existing environmental concerns and create additional questions about future impacts. We believe the proposed expansion should not be approved. Instead, state and local officials should prioritize stronger environmental monitoring, transparent reporting of air and water quality data, and long-term planning for waste management and community finances.
Seneca Falls deserves a future where residents can feel confident in the health of their environment without depending on continued landfill expansion to maintain affordable property taxes. Protecting public health and supporting the community's financial well-being should go hand in hand.
Sincerely,
Dominic Varlotto and Chris Cratsley
Public Health Graduate Students
Dominic Varlotto is a Master of Public Health student at Arcadia University.
Chris Cratsley is a public health graduate student at Arcadia University.