Newtown Creek has one of the dirtiest bodies of water in New York City. Extending approximately 3 miles of waterway, Newtown Creek borders between Hunters Point of Long Island City and the historical industrial area of Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Once the center of the industrial development in New York City during the late 19th century, it is heavily contaminated from decades of illegal dumping and accidental oil spillages. The water quality of Newtown creek is worsened when the combined sewage overflow system (CSOS) began to dump overloaded raw sewage from the city into the creek. Subsequently, the severe water contamination in the Newtown Creek has become a health concern for the residents, workers, and visitors along the creek and endangers the survival of fish species in the creek.

Rachael Weiss, a graduate student in public health and a local resident in the Newtown Creek area, is conducting a study on the illness experience of the residents along the contaminated creek. The study will contain a series of interviews of residents with illness experience from living near Newtown Creek, and it will be completed by the early spring of next year. Results from the study are expected to reveal potential long-term health risks related to exposure to the water contamination in the creek. Health risk is one the on going issues along Newtown Creek that has not received much attention from the city and is often disregarded by residential developers in the area.

According to a report from New York City department of Health, Newtown Creek and the areas around the creek have asthma, emphysema and bronchitis rates 25 percent higher than in the rest of the city. Potential cause for the high rate in respiratory problems maybe the disastrous 17 millions of oil spill in Newtown Creek by ExxonMobil in the 1940s. There is estimated 15 foot of oil sludge beneath the surface of the Newtown Creek water. Petroleum chemicals from the oil spill combined with raw sewage from CSOS can trigger various health problems and cancers.

“The only health problem I know from the Newtown Creek water pollution is cancer,” said Eric L, a 21 years old local artist from Williamsburg, during an interview in the Newtown Creek Natural Walk Park. The new park, which is located next to the Newtown Creek plant, is a new part of city’s plan to improve the appeal of Newtown Creek and raise awareness of the need for cleaner water in the creek. Even though visitors, such as Eric, know about the potential health risks in the area, lack of substantial research and health data of Newtown Creek area prevent them from knowing exactly the environmental condition of the area.

“But you are eventually going to die from cancer, living here is just speeding up the process,” said Noah K. during our interview, another local artist who has been living in the Newtown Creek for a year. Noah K. also finds “living here is just like everywhere else, I have not developed asthma, so I am fine living here.” For residents like Noah K. they have concerns regarding the contamination from the waterway, but nonetheless they live here anyway since the city has not told them not to.

There is also that unpleasant smell along Newtown Creek unlike any other bad smell from the streets of the most congested communities in New York City. “I notice different smells on my way here. It is the industrial smell. And I would believe it this is most polluted creek in America” said Richardo R during our interview, 46 years old bicyclist from Clinton Hill who is visiting Newtown Creek Natural walk for the first time. The industrial smell the bicyclist was experiencing is actually chemicals released from the contaminated water of Newtown Creek and the Asphalt company next to the park.

Pesticides, components of crude oil PAH from the oil spillage by ExxonMobil, Mercury, Benzene from unused rubber tires and tanks, Copper, lead, and chromium from industrial materials dumped into the creek all combined together to form that unpleasant smell. It’s not hard to imagine that one is inhaling all those chemicals at once when one goes near Newtown Creek. However, with lack of studies the possible illness from these chemicals in the area is not informed to the residents and visitors in the area.

In recent years, New York City has added an upgraded wastewater treatment plant to the existing Newtown Creek wastewater/sewage treatment plant, which has been in serve since the 1967. “This treatment plant (upgraded) is doing a excellent job, without a doubt. The water coming out of that treatment plant is clear and treated, and the water is from the creek,” said Mike K, a 54 years old FDNY firefighter who has been working in the area for years, during an interview.

Steve I., who is also a 56 years old FDNY firefighter and partner with Mike K., said “to tell you the truth, I would not drink the tap water here in the station (next to the Newtown Creek Natural Walk). I know it comes from the water treatment plant, and it’s supposed to be cleaned. But who knows what’s in there. Unless you have a microscope with you, you just don’t feel safe drinking this.”

Contamination in drinking water from the Newtown Creek has become a worry for the workers such as Steve and local residents in the area. Just like the air pollution from the chemical released from the water and 15 foot of oil sludge beneath the surface of the water, contamination in drinking water in Newtown Creek can cause widespread of diseases and health problems that can affect beyond the size of this area. The good news is that the EPA is finally considering making Newtown Creek a superfund site, which grants additional money to fix the contamination of water.

“We need more treatment plants like this one, it’s going to take at least 15 years to fix this water here,” said Mike K.. He is optimistic that making Newtown Creek a superfund site will drastically improve the water quality and remove toxic chemicals.

For now, don’t swim in Newtown Creek before knowing how it may affect your health.