Cancer Cluster in Poolesville? County studies high number of cancer cases in community

Comments (22)

• Mont. Local Tuesday, May 12 at 10:57 AM FLAG COMMENT I believe someone should examine the posibily that the homes that these people live in on Hempstone Ave. are contanminated with radioactive substances originating from workers who once lived there and worked for Neutron Products. Cobal-60 could have "dusted" off the workers and may still be present on premisis after years of work within the plant. Not that hard to check and logical since this development is close to the plant. Someone moving in would never know to look for this contamination and think its the water supply. ... MORE >
• Janice Friday, Feb 20 at 4:22 AM FLAG COMMENT Is the reported cancer cluster in one area of Poolesville? Are there more cancers near LM Stevens Park?Is the reported cancer cluster in one area of Poolesville? Are there more cancers near LM Stevens Park?
• Doesn't drink water Tuesday, Jan 13 at 6:51 AM FLAG COMMENT I have lived in Poolesville for 26 years and our family stopped drinking the water 10 years ago after I was sick. Dr's could not figure out what was wrong. I had stopped eating so many things looking for an answer. I had made an off hand comment "maybe it's the water, there is nothing else left to give up!" I switched to bottle and I got better. Said it for years....Don't drink the water! My concern now is...what about the shower?! I love this town but maybe it's time to move. ... MORE >
• Kelly Burke Friday, Jan 9 at 2:52 PM FLAG COMMENT While we all empathize with families who have had to endure cancer, it is premature to judge and inappropriate to fear monger. This study is an evaluation of the situation that may or may not lead to a clear conclusion. Epidemiologists will tell you studies seldom result in direct causal relationships because there are so many potential causes of cancer. In addition, there is no data yet that suggests the number of cancer cases in the community represents an unusually high number compared with communities of the same size...and communities that may be influenced by comparable environmental factors. I remember the results, a few years back, of a ten year study into the health impact of radiation exposure over 40 years around the Hanford Nuclear facility in the State of Washington. While citizens wanted to believe there were higher levels of cancer cases there and a direct link to radiation exposure for cases that did occur, the CDC NCEH found no evidence to support the theories. The government is doing its' job looking into this but people unduly feeding off supposition and speculation may simply frighten people into concluding the quality of water and the quality of life in this community is suspect. That's not healthy either. I’ve been a resident of Poolesville for 33 years. From my experience, the subject of water quality and supply has been studied more than any other issue in the community. In fact, I believe, the scrutiny has led to the kind of disclosure that keeps the issue a high priority and should help reassure us. The data revealed thus far from previous analysis, suggests water quality here is ok. Let's not jump to conclusions. Let's wait to hear what the County comes up with. ... MORE >
• Kelly Burke Friday, Jan 9 at 2:46 PM FLAG COMMENT While we all empathasize with families who have had to endure cancer, it is premature to judge and innappropriate to fear monger. This study is an evaluation of the situation that may or may not lead to a clear conclusion. Epidemiologists will tell you studies seldom result in direct causal relationships because there are so many potential causes of cancer. In addition, there is no data yet that suggests the number of cancer cases in the community represents an unusually high number compared with communities of the same size...and communities that may be influenced by comparable environmental factors. I remember the results, a few years back, of a ten year study into the health impact of radiation exposure over 40 years around the Hanford Nuclear facility in the State of Washington. While citizens wanted to believe there were higher levels of cancer cases there and a direct link to radiation exposure for cases that did occur, the CDC NCEH found no evidence to support the theories. The government is doing its' job looking into this but people unduly feeding off supposition and speculation may simply frighten people into concluding the quality of water and the quaility of life in this community is suspect. That's not healthy either. I"ve been a resident of Poolesbille for 33 years. From my experience, the subject of water quality and supply have been studied more than any other issue in the community. In fact, I believe, the scrutiny has led to the kind of disclosure that keeps the issue a high priority and should help reassure us. The data revealed thus far from previous analysis, suggests water quality here is ok. Let's not jump to conclusions. Let's wait to hear what the County comes up with. ... MORE >

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