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Feb 7, 2010 9:59 am US/Eastern
State To Test Water, Soil In The Acreage
PALM BEACH COUNTY (CBS4) ―
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Jennifer Dunsford and her 6-year-old son Garrett
CBS
Days after Palm Beach health officials confirmed a suspected cancer cluster in one western suburb, the state has announced it will now test the soil and water at the homes of more than a dozen children who've developed brain tumors or cancer.
Last Thursday Governor Charlie Crist said he would seek federal help to discover why children in The Acreage have higher than normal rates of brain tumors and cancer, according to
The Sun-Sentinel.
Last year, the state took samples from more 50 wells in the community. Tests showed some of the homes had elevated levels of radium and other radioactive substances which could have resulted from natural causes.
The study also found ground water quality was "generally good." State health officials are trying to learn if common patterns exist among the Acreage children who have suffered from brain tumors in recent years.
Greg and Jessica Dunsford are among those Acreage residents still waiting for answers. The couple's 6-year-old son, Garrett, is living with a brain tumor. The Dunsfords dealt with Garrett's diagnosis, treated him and soon realized they were not alone in their community of 50,000, dealing with cancer and specifically, brain cancer and brain tumors.
The Dunsfords are largely responsible for this issue coming to the forefront. They have rallied other families, created a website and are keeping track of cancer cases. They say they have information from residents that at least 70 children and adults within a 5-mile area have suffered from brain cancer or brain tumors.
Source:
The Sun-Sentinel
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