high incidence of cancer in Cowdenbeath frightens locals - petrochemical plant cleared?

[Guest guest]

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/page.cfm?objectid=11706371 & method=full & sit

eid=89488

CHEMICAL PLANT IN CLEAR OVER 'CLUSTER' Mar 16 2002

THE cause of an alleged cancer cluster remained a mystery last night after a

report cleared a chemical plant of blame.

An independent review of air quality in Cowdenbeath said emissions of the

cancer- linked chemical benzene were no worse than those from cars.

But last night residents of the town who flooded Daily Record phonelines

with tales of tragedy were left still asking why they were falling victim to

the killer disease.

They believe the area is a hot spot and tell horror tales like that of the

street in Lochgelly where 10 people were being treated.

The review was launched after the Daily Record highlighted the fears of

families living in the shadow of the Shell and Exxon petro-chemical plants

at Mossmorran and Braefoot Bay in Fife.

Five children in Cowdenbeath - total population 12,000 - have been diagnosed

with cancer, including three leukaemia sufferers.

This compares to the UK average of one in every 2000 children falling

victim.

Fife Council said there was no evidence to suggest the area had a higher

rate of illness than the rest of Scotland.

And MSP Helen Eadie, who had backed our call for a study, said she was happy

to accept the figures.

But locals are demanding a probe into what they see as the high incidence of

cancer.

Adele , of Lochgelly, said: " Given the number of cases, we have every

reason to be frightened. "

[Guest guest]

Cancers are often growing for some time before detection, in our daughters case I asked the orthopedic surgeon how long could hers have been developing before detection. He Said that it could have been 2 to 3 years before found.

Now when these tests for benzene were ran, were they current test or data from 2 to 4 years prior to the clusters. Next what is the prevailing wind and is there a unique air flow pattern or thermal layer that would hold the toxins in the area longer? Just remember and old country saying, "liars do figure and figurers do lie".

C. W.

----- Original Message -----

From: bherk@...

Sick Buildings

Sent: Sunday, March 17, 2002 7:54 AM

Subject: [] high incidence of cancer in Cowdenbeath frightens locals - petrochemical plant cleared?

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/page.cfm?objectid=11706371 & method=full & siteid=89488CHEMICAL PLANT IN CLEAR OVER 'CLUSTER' Mar 16 2002THE cause of an alleged cancer cluster remained a mystery last night after areport cleared a chemical plant of blame.An independent review of air quality in Cowdenbeath said emissions of thecancer- linked chemical benzene were no worse than those from cars.But last night residents of the town who flooded Daily Record phonelineswith tales of tragedy were left still asking why they were falling victim tothe killer disease.They believe the area is a hot spot and tell horror tales like that of thestreet in Lochgelly where 10 people were being treated.The review was launched after the Daily Record highlighted the fears offamilies living in the shadow of the Shell and Exxon petro-chemical plantsat Mossmorran and Braefoot Bay in Fife.Five children in Cowdenbeath - total population 12,000 - have been diagnosedwith cancer, including three leukaemia sufferers.This compares to the UK average of one in every 2000 children fallingvictim.Fife Council said there was no evidence to suggest the area had a higherrate of illness than the rest of Scotland.And MSP Helen Eadie, who had backed our call for a study, said she was happyto accept the figures.But locals are demanding a probe into what they see as the high incidence ofcancer.Adele , of Lochgelly, said: "Given the number of cases, we have everyreason to be frightened."FAIR USE NOTICE:This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.