Argelia Morales Alvarez learned about the contamination shortly after becoming pregnant. All photos by Shantal Riley
Tipping Point covers environmental justice stories about and, where possible, written by people in the communities experiencing the stark reality of our changing planet.
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A city on the edge
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Longtime resident of Newburgh Peter Smith believes that his kidney disease "was caused by the water."
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Whatever the drinking water has done to their bodies, "it's too late," said Newburgh resident Roxy Royal.
It was the highest number of cases in the state that year. A concerted effort between local government and non-profits eventually brought those levels down. (There is no safe blood lead level in children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect attention, IQ, and academic performance.)In recent years, the city has undergone changes. Unable to afford skyrocketing costs in New York City, a slew of artists and entrepreneurs moved in to open restaurants and art studios. But the water contamination was bad for business, said Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey.
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Forever chemicals in the body
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Newburgh's population is 50 percent Latino and 30 percent Black.
Reproductive problems
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A national issue
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At the pond where Charlie Parker fished, the state announced a "catch and release" rule because of PFOS contamination.
