While concerned with even low level exposure, she felt it more important that the threat of the virus be taken care of first, but added that the public should be educated. She suggested that in addition to the health department suggestions, people should remove their shoes on entering their homes, and change clothes when they are coming in from being outside. A fourth death was reported on Monday. The Friday night spraying came just hours before the Breast Cancer Victory Train made its journey from Penn Station to Port Jefferson for a breast cancer survivors victory celebration. Judy Koles, coordinator of the breast care center at Huntington Hospital, and Gail Probst, coordinator of cancer services for the hospital, on hand at the train station for the event, were concerned about the spraying.
Studies are still under way probing the breast cancer-pesticide link, among other issues.
Anyone who has questions about the spraying or spots a dead bird can call the Suffolk County Emergency Operations Center at 852-4900. Huntington Town has also set up a hotline for residents. That number is 351-3020. A county truck sprays pesticides Monday night in Huntington Station.