Spreading toxic plume of water emanating from historic NY defense plant sparks concerns

A plume of toxic groundwater from a former suburban New York defense plant is getting renewed scrutiny.

Tests show the potential carcinogen TCE is spreading deeper below ground than ever seen before and it's moving southward toward neighboring Long Island communities.

Evidence of the plume was first detected decades ago. It's emanating from a 600-acre property in Bethpage that was once home to the Grumman Aerospace Corp., the U.S. Navy and other industries.

Grumman built an armada of aircraft used throughout the Cold War, as well as the Lunar Module that landed astronauts on the moon.

The Navy and Northrop-Grumman say they've spent hundreds of millions cleaning up the site.

But environmentalists and local elected officials said at a press conference Tuesday they're pushing for a more aggressive strategy.