At this scrap metal and car recycling business in Jamaica, residents say cars are sometimes piled up three stories high.
Cell phone video shared with NY1 shows what they call a normal day at New City Auto and Recycling. Concerned residents want to know how hazardous materials discarded during the recycling process, like oil and antifreeze, could be impacting the environment.
"There is a lot of issues concerning soil contamination, water contamination and air contamination," said Charles Morant, of the Greater Jamaica Defense Fund.
Officials say the business is located right on the border of a commercial and residential zone. The Department of Buildings says while the zoning for the area has changed, the business's certificate of occupancy was grandfathered in, allowing the owner to continue using the space for waste transfer, storage and sorting of recycling materials. But residents are concerned for what it means for people living next door.
"We're concerned about the health concerns that it will have on them over an extending period of time," said Scherie Murray, a local State Committeewoman for the Republican Party.
Now, community members are calling on the Environmental Protection Agency for a complete environmental impact study.
"It's not a simple process, it takes time to do. But we need to start it," said Morant.
A spokesperson for the EPA says the agency delegates the responsibilities of auto recycling to the State's Department of Environmental Conservation but both agencies can inspect and enforce auto recycling businesses for compliance.
We reached out to New City Auto for a response but did not hear back. Their website lists a green mission, “we strive to reduce waste in our world by recycling all metals, auto parts, and scrap.”
Going forward, residents plan on meeting with elected officials to come up with a plan to get a study funded.