Green Jersey

Sorry, Staten Island

Above: Smokestacks (not New Jersey's).

New Jersey smokestacks are spewing foulness in the direction of Staten Island, dirtying Staten Island’s otherwise improved air, the Staten Island Advance reported yesterday:

Dr. Mark Jarrett, chief medical officer at Staten Island University Hospital, said the pollutants blowing (Staten Island’s) way act as “irritants” that likely aggravate lung disease and asthma. Without conclusive studies proving or disproving it, the emissions may also be a factor in the borough’s high cancer rates, he said.

“Clearly, with a high rate of lung cancer, whether we assume a lot of that is from smoking, we don’t know if it’s due to toxins coming over from the other states,” he said. “I don’t think people… need to be frightened about this, but it is something that has to be out in the open and discussed.”

Jarrett said federal and health officials ought to study the correlation between New Jersey’s industry and illness here.

I smell a lawsuit. When Staten Island sues us, we should sue Manhattan or try to get more out of Pennsylvania.