A large number of cancer cases have been recorded in a small town in Alabama, she says IFLScience. Because of this phenomenon, a group of doctors, geologists and sociologists launched an investigation and recently published their results It was an introduction.
The problem came to their attention when several children and teens in the Fruithurst school system developed leukemia and osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. This phenomenon is for several residents to Kristi Heat, also appeared to the principal of the elementary school. Heat contacted the experts, and soon researchers from the University of Kentucky, the University of Alabama, and Auburn University began working.
The team investigated more than 500 households and found the area’s cancer rate to be well above the national average. In the case of melanoma and lung cancer, the proportion turned out to be particularly extreme, with the former scoring 6.7 times more than expected and the latter 9.2 times more cases. In all, 16 types of cancer are more common in the city than in the rest of the United States.
In the next step of the investigation, the affected families were interviewed, to assess whether there were any lifestyle factors that could increase the chance of contracting the disease. As it turns out, several families are somehow connected to the local rubber plant, and many fear that there is some kind of exposure behind it.
Then, 26 sites for heavy metals, semi-volatile and volatile organic compounds and radioactive radon were analyzed. The results showed that the city’s wells and soil contained higher than acceptable concentrations of heavy metals and semi-volatile organic compounds, some of which have been linked to cancer. An industrial compound called di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, which is also a carcinogen, has been detected at dangerous levels in the city’s water system.
In light of the data, local residents formed an activist group to pressure potential officials. Luca Ashwoodof the University of Kentucky, according to residents, has already achieved results, including installing systems to filter pollution.
