CDC 24/7 - Protecting People - Massachusetts's Success
Investigating Parents’ Concerns about Childhood Cancer
What is the problem?
In Winchester, MA, unusually heavy rains can cause the Aberjona River to rise several feet. The river water spills over onto the ball field and playground areas of Ginn Field, a neighborhood park, and leaves behind sediment. Residents worried the sediment might contaminate the surface soil in the park. They also had concerns about herbicide applications on the field. Because of these issues, parents feared that their children might get cancer from playing in the park.
What did Tracking do?
At the request of concerned residents and the Winchester Board of Health, Massachusetts Tracking staff investigated parents’ concerns about childhood cancer. They used cancer data from the state tracking network to evaluate the pattern of cancer in children. Tracking staff also investigated herbicide use and contaminants in the river water and sediment to determine what children using the field might be exposed to.
Improved public health
In January 2012, the state health department shared its findings in a report to the community and the Board of Health. The report showed that the number of new cases of childhood cancers for Winchester was similar to state trends. This information helped reassure Winchester parents and the Board of Health that touching or unintentionally eating small amounts of soil at Ginn Field would not be expected to make people sick. In addition, the Town of Winchester and the state have begun work to deepen the channel in this section of the Aberjona River as part of a series of projects to lessen the effects of flooding in the area.
Examining the relationship between cancer rates and proximity to a nuclear power plant
What is the problem?
Franklin County residents expressed concern about the number of new cases of cancer in their towns because they are close to the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant. This plant is less than 5 miles from the Massachusetts state border.
Nuclear power plants produce ionizing radiation. Exposure to radiation has been associated with certain cancers such as bone, brain, central nervous system, thyroid, leukemia, and multiple myeloma.
What did Tracking do?
The tracking program reviewed available cancer data for five cancer types with possible associations to radiation. The data covered a span of 23 years for 17 Massachusetts communities located within a 20-mile radius of the power plant. They did not find any unusual patterns for cancer in Franklin County.
Improved public health
The Massachusetts Tracking Program used data from the state’s tracking network to address community concerns about cancer risks. They shared their findings with the community in a report. Over time, the tracking program has noticed a decrease in the number of questions they receive related to this power plant.
Because data are readily available on the tracking network, answering inquiries like this one take less time and resources. This ensures that public health responses are efficient and economical.
Informing policymakers and protecting community health
What is the problem?
The Town of Norwood’s Board of Health asked for help to decide whether to allow construction of a new asphalt plant within the town limits. Asphalt production releases several dangerous pollutants into the air. These pollutants are known to cause some cancers. For people living nearby, the pollutants might also aggravate respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
What did Tracking do?
The Massachusetts Tracking Program looked at available state tracking data for childhood asthma and rates of asthma hospital stays. The tracking program also evaluated potential health outcome patterns related to emissions from the asphalt plant. The data showed that Norwood residents may be at higher risk of health problems from air pollutants compared with the rest of the state. The tracking program recommended that town leadership request additional information from the asphalt company. The program also encouraged the company to consider ways to reduce emissions.
Improved public health
Data from the state tracking network informed policymakers about the potential effects of asphalt production on public health. Ultimately, based in part on the data and recommendations provided by the Massachusetts Tracking Program, Norwood’s zoning board denied the permit required for the asphalt plant.