The Aluminum Company of America, General Motors and Reynolds Metals all developed aluminum refineries in Massena, NY due to the cheap hydro-electric power coming from a power dam in the adjacent St. Lawrence River. For decades these companies have been releasing chemicals including Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), aluminum, fluoride and cyanide. This has contaminated the St. Lawrence River, Grasse River and other small rivers that run through the neighboring St. Regis Mohawk Reservation. This contamination has impacted the health, cultural resources, and sacred spots of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. This has resulted in the discontinuation of the once thriving fish markets, and an increase of health problems related to lack of traditional means of food. The contamination also affected livestock and cattle. One of the most prominent ways that PCB was spread was through breast milk in women that has increased exposure to the children living within the reservation. |