Hoosick’s Dr. Marcus Martinez and Michael Hickey Are
Among Twenty-Eight Regional Recipients
On Friday, May 13, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency honored 28 individuals and organizations and businesses from across New York State with Environmental Champion Awards for their achievements in protecting public health and the environment. EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck was joined by Murray Fisher, founder of the New York Harbor School, to present the awards to this year’s recipients at a ceremony at the EPA’s offices in Manhattan. The awards are presented annually.[private]“It is a privilege for EPA to be able to recognize the dedication and accomplishments of these environmental trailblazers,” said Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. “These individuals and organizations from across New York are an inspiration, encouraging us to do our best to protect the environment every day.”
Among the Environmental Champion Award winners from New York were Michael Hickey and Dr. Marcus Martinez. The EPA said:
“Dr. Martinez is a medical doctor who serves the community of Hoosick Fall, NY. He has worked with Healthy Hoosick Water, a local group that has been instrumental in encouraging government officials to investigate perflourooctanoic acid (PFOA), which was detected in the municipal water supply of Hoosick Falls. Through his medical training, Dr. Martinez has assisted health officials in addressing various health-related issues raised in the community, including indications for medical monitoring of PFOA, benefits and risks of breastfeeding and questions related to blood donations.”
“Hickey, also a resident of Hoosick Falls, discovered perflourooctanoic acid (PFOA) contamination in his local public drinking water supply. Suspecting PFOA contamination and knowing that water systems are not required by law to test for PFOA, Mr. Hickey took his own water samples and analyzed them at his own cost, calling attention to this important issue. As a result of his testing, the Village of Hoosick Falls has installed water treatment technology to ensure that residents are drinking clean water.”[/private]