Re: Toms River "Cancer Cluster"

["edith gbur" <egbur@adelphia.net>]

Dear Mr Nicholls,

Your response is welcome.  Why wait until the

The study of
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jerry Cohen" <jjcohen@prodigy.net>
To: "Multiple recipients of list" <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2000 1:44 PM
Subject: Re: Toms River "Cancer Cluster"


> No need to wait for the completion of current ongoing studies. I can give
> you the conclusion now. It will be something to the following effect:
>
> ------ "The issues under study were found to be very complex. No
definitive
> conclusions can be established at this time. Further study of the problem
is
> recommended" ---
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gerald Nicholls <GNICHOLL@dep.state.nj.us>
> To: Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
> Date: Thursday, August 10, 2000 12:39 PM
> Subject: Toms River "Cancer Cluster"
>
>
> >I would urge those interested in the investigation of the statistically
> >significantly increased incidence of childhood cancer in Toms River, NJ
> >(Dover Township) to forego debate until the massive federal and state
> >investigation, begun in March 1996, is completed.
> >
> >The lead agency for this investigation is the New Jersey
> >Department of Health and Senior Services.  My agency, the NJ
> >Department of Environmental Protection provides technical and
> >administrative support.  Involved federal agencies include the Agency for
> >Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and USEPA.  NJDHSS and
> >ATSDR have issued seven public health assessments relating to Toms
> >River.  Since March 1996, public meetings have been held virtually every
> >month with the citizen's group representing area residents (Citizens
> >Action Committee on the Childhood Cancer Cluster).
> >
> >A case-control epidemiological study of 40 cases matched to 160
> >controls and spanning 20 years is being conducted by NJDHSS and
> >ATSDR.  A final draft report on the study is anticipated in December
> >2001.
> >
> >On average, water quality in the Toms River area is very good.  Some
> >wells, have however, been contaminated by a plume of chemical
> >contaminants from one of the Superfund Sites.  In these instances,
> >treatment systems have been installed to remove Safe Drinking Water
> >Act contaminants and one contaminant unique to this site (styrene
> >acryolnitrile trimer).  A toxicological study of the trimer is being
> conducted
> >by USEPA with funding support from the responsible party.
> >Outside my office are more than 200 3-inch 3-ring binders containing
> >analytical data on water quality in the area.  Water monitoring is
> >continuing.
> >
> >Oyster Creek is approximately 10 miles south of Toms River, at the edge
> >of the EPZ.  Areas in between Oyster Creek and Toms River do not
> >show an increased risk of childhood cancer. NJDEP monitors air, water,
> >sediment and food stuffs from the area using pressurized ion chambers,
> >TLDs and environmental samples.
> >
> >Two Superfund Sites in the area are being extensively investigated.
> >Rutgers University researchers are evaluating retrospective air
> >exposure pathways for chemicals and radiological contaminants  via
> >dispersion modeling collection of attic dust.  Oyster Creek has provided
> >them with met data.
> >
> >Union Carbide and Ciba Geigy, the responsible parties for the two
> >Superfund Sites, are cooperating in the investigation.
> >
> >
> >I have left out many of the details but my point is that it is premature
to
> >extensively debate the possible results of an investigation this large in
> >scope well in advance of its completion.   If anyone would like any
> >further information, please call or e-mail me.
> >
> >Gerald Nicholls
> >New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
> >609-633-7964
> >gnicholl@dep.state.nj.us
> >************************************************************************
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