Selinsgrove Environmental Information

In the spring of 2007, state environmental experts conducted extensive testing in the Selinsgrove area to assure the health and safety of its residents. The testing was undertaken in response to speculation about possible environmental contamination and its potential link to incidents of cancer. On May 8, 2007, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued its final report, concluding that there were no imminent public health risks in the area, nor evidence of any residual contamination that would indicate a significant source of exposure previously existed that would have posed an unacceptable health risk in the past.

As concerns were raised, the Borough of Selinsgrove, the Pennsylvania departments of Environmental Protection and Health, and Susquehanna University officials took extraordinary steps to study the area and ensure the safety of our residents and students. Dr. Paul Chrostowski, an environmental health scientist with over 30 years experience, stated: "The sampling program undertaken by DEP in Selinsgrove is virtually unprecedented in the U.S. with respect to both number of samples and the sophisticated analytical equipment employed. Even with that level of scrutiny, the DEP has found it to be safe."

We are confident in the safety of the area, and we will continue to keep the Susquehanna community apprised of any additional developments on this issue. Please continue to check back to this site for more information.

To view the most recent environmental fact sheet, click here (Last Update: 8/10/2007).

To read the full press releases issued by state agencies, click on the links below:

• DEP Releases Public Comments, 6/15/2007
• DEP Releases Its Final Report, 5/8/2007
• PA Department of Health Conclusion, 2/20/2007

To view Dr. Paul Chrostowski's video reports on the issue, click on the links below:

• Expert Review of DEP Test Results, 6/5/2007
• Environmental Health Analysis Addressed at Student-Parent Forum, 3/12/2007

To read Dr. Chrostowski's full reports, click on the links below:

• Analysis of DEP Sampling Results, 5/11/2007
• Analysis of Potential Cancer Cluster, 3/6/2007

The following local and state agencies will continue to be a resource. Links to their official Web sites are below:

• Borough of Selinsgrove
• Department of Environmental Protection
• Department of Health

If you have questions that are not answered on these pages, please contact us at 570-372-INFO / 570-372-4636 or info@susqu.edu.