July 20 (Reuters) - New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday directed state departments to investigate health risks associated with old lead-clad cables left by telecommunication companies.
The Wall Street Journal this month reported that telecom companies, including AT&T (T.N) and Verizon Communications (VZ.N), had left toxic lead cables on poles, underwater and buried under ground across the U.S. including in New York.
The investigation is to better understand the inventory and ownership of such cables in New York, Hochul said.
"AT&T’s commitment to addressing our members’ exposure to lead must go beyond point-in-time testing of blood lead levels and incorporate proper follow up," the union said.
U.S. Representative Pat Ryan of New York on Thursday wrote to the CEOs of Verizon, AT&T and industry group U.S. Telecom, demanding that they remove lead cables.
Persons:
Kathy Hochul, Hochul, John Stankey, Jessica Rosenworcel, Rosenworcel, Pat Ryan, Ryan, Mrinalika Roy, Vinay Dwivedi, Marguerita Choy
Organizations:
Verizon Communications, Verizon, The Communications Workers, America, Federal Communications, Environmental Protection Agency, White House Council, Environmental, U.S . Telecom, Thomson
Locations:
New, New York, Bengaluru