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Comments: Not only can the Toxic Mold and corrupt politics on Cape Cod ruin you, the cancer might kill you first.

Ken Moulton

Chemicals found in Cape homes: Health study probes link to breast cancer by Lasalandra

Tuesday, September 16, 2003

Dozens of chemicals, many linked to breast cancer, have been found in homes on Cape Cod, where the risk of the disease is 20 percent higher than for the state as a whole.

``Not only do we see that these chemicals make breast cancer cells grow in lab studies, but we've added a new piece of information,'' said Brody of the Silent Spring Institute of Newton. ``We're saying that women are being exposed to them.''

The group's study of 120 homes on Cape Cod turned up evidence of 67 different compounds in the air and dust, many of them chemicals that act as estrogens or interfere with human hormones in various ways.

The group had identified a target list of 89 chemicals known as being endocrine disruptors or hormonally active.

The average Cape home was found to have 19 chemicals in the air and 26 in the dust.

The chemicals phthalates and alkylphenols were the ones found at the highest concentrations in both the air and dust, the study said. Phthalates, found in plastics and personal care products, are known as anti-androgens that can impact the development of the male fetus, Brody said.

Others found in high concentrations included flame retardants such as polybrominated diphenyl ether; PCBs, found in older electrical equipment; and banned pesticides such as DDT.

Some of the chemicals were found in higher concentrations on the Cape than in studies done elsewhere. Others were in line with what has been found in other places. For about 30 of the compounds, there are no other studies measuring their levels, Brody said.

While the group is studying why breast cancer rates are higher on Cape Cod, Brody said the data uncovered in this report will be used more broadly in that it will help science understand the causes of the disease in general.

``If we want to find ways to prevent breast cancer, we need to learn more about what compounds women are commonly exposed to,'' she said. ``This is an important step in that direction.''

The study is being funded by the state Department of Public Health and private charitable foundations.

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