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(EHELP)
Environmental Health Exposure
Life Profile
SAMPLE
November 11, 2011
by David Lincoln
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SUMMARY
Client is a 59 year old white female with a recent history of radiation cancer treatments. This
followed a diagnosis of both thyroid and breast cancers. She was fortunate to have spent her timein the womb and throughout her first year of life in rural areas of Oklahoma and Oregon. These
residences are far from the nearest known pollution sites and should incline her to strong healthy
development.
Unfortunately, during her early childhood she moved to the edge of a petrochemical complex
and was within the shadow of a particularly dirty oil refinery until she was eight years old. This
almost certainly exposed her to levels of Benzene above current permissible limits for workers.
Chronic Benzene poisoning is known to be linked to several forms of leukemia and the
probability is associated with the time weighted average period of exposure and length of time
that exposure continued.
Remarkably, she then moved to within 5 miles of the nations first nuclear test and rocket engine
testing facility. Partial meltdowns during her residence in at least 4 out of the 10 experimental
reactors probably exposed her to dangerous levels of ionizing radiation before she was 18. This
was especially true since these small reactors at Rocket Dyne had no containment vessels to
prevent escape of nuclear particles including plutonium and radioactive iodine isotopes.
Radioactive Iodine 131 has now been found in milk and tap water from the period in California
at very low levels. The fact that her father worked at this facility during this timeframe exposed
her to additional risks of contamination.
Additionally she was likely subjected to water wells contaminated with hydrazine rocket fuel and
trichloroethylene (TCE) cleaning solvent. Today, thousands of gallons of TCE and other
chemicals remain in the sites soil and groundwater. TCE causes everything from liver cancer to
leukemia. Another chemical used in the engine tests called perchlorate disrupts thyroid function
in even tiny concentrations, and its been found in multiple wells near the site.
The subject then moved on to San Jose, Calif. in her twenties for six years. Based on the distance
to nearest pollution sites, there should be few health concerns at this location.
For the next 15 years she lived near the heart of Silicon Valley in Mountain View Calif. At the
present time there are some local problems with water pollution from these high tech industries.However, during the eighties, the companies (like Intel) were closely monitored for
environmental stewardship and it is unlikely that pollution would have migrated more than a few
hundred yards from the sites at that time.
The client states that she worked as a Coach Bus Operator in Santa Clara County during this
period. This would have exposed her to exhaust fumes including hydrocarbons, particulate
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matter, nitrous oxides, sulfur compounds etc. Prolonged exposure to diesel and gasoline exhausts
increases the risks of developing lung cancer, asthma and other respiratory diseases. Recent
research indicates that inhaling these fumes increases brain activity indicative of stress.
The client recalls helicopters and the dumping of Malathion insecticide on the population in the
area. This pesticide has been restricted due to its endocrine disruption effects on pregnantmothers and children, but it is not considered to be carcinogenic. Based on human testing, no
lasting health effects would be expected from single ground level exposure.
From 1995 to 2004, the subject lived in Monterey Calif. where there are few pollution sources.
Research has revealed that the she may have been subjected to a controlled burn at the nearby
Fort Ord Army artillery range. This could have exposed her to particles of explosives and
munitions (including lead). Since the wind direction was primarily offshore for most of the two-
day burn, exposure would be expected to be minimal.
Client currently lives in Mountain Home Arkansas where she has lived for the past 7 years.While there is some phthalate (plasticizer) pollution in the air, it has been decreasing. Only
women who are pregnant or who desire to become pregnant should be concerned with this past
pollution.
Baxter County does have a very high mortality rate for leukemia and ovarian cancer. It also has
elevated death rates for all malignant cancers combined and lung cancer, colon and rectum
cancer, for white females, and a decreased risk of breast cancer compared with all counties in the
US. These high disease rates may be explained by the presence of major polluting industries in
the region.
Although the next nearest Toxic Release sites are quite distant, these polluting boat building
plants have emitted hundreds of thousands of pounds of styrene into the air each year. Care
should be taken when driving or parking near these facilities not to inhale dangerous amounts of
this chemical recently classified Reasonably Anticipated to be a Carcinogen.
Additional factors which the client may wish to consider are ingestion of heavy metals. Mercury
vapors are given off by silver fillings of dental amalgams. The number, condition and length of
time fillings were in place should influence whether action is needed.
Additionally, the amount and frequency of consumption of predatory fish like tuna, swordfish
and shark should be within FDA recommended guidelines to minimize mercury accumulation,
Finally, the use of imported vitamin supplements or herbs should be closely scrutinized to avoid
those sourced from India, Bangladesh or other areas known to have water and soils contaminated
with arsenic.
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Finally, each of the major toxic exposures (primarily Benzene and Radiation), should be
discussed thoroughly with a doctor in light of the subjects history. This history may weigh
heavily on course of treatment, prognosis, and future diagnosis of chronic diseases,
PRE-NATAL PERIOD-
BETHANY- OKLA
Satellite Image of Bethany OK and Toxic Release Sites
Bethany Oklahoma has no superfund sites within 10 miles. It has two Toxic Release sites
within five miles but the chemicals are commonly less than 1000 pounds/year. No adverse healtheffects would be anticipated. Between 2004 and 2009 the death rate for all cancers in the area
was extremely low compared to all US counties.
YEAR 1SWEETHOME - OREGON
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Satellite Image of Sweethome OR and Toxic Release Sites
From 1952 to 1953 she was raised as an infant in Sweethome, OR. This area has several pulp
and paper mills within 10 miles. The mills emit more than 100,000 pounds of methanol per year.
Methanol does not cause cancer and can be tolerated up to 200 ppm. It is not likely to be a
contributor to chronic diseases. Neither superfund sites produced during this period. However,
the county does currently have an elevated death rate for all cancers combined and very high
mortality from ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, brain cancer and other nervous system cancers
in white females. Therefore it is likely that the paper mills were emitting other pollution that they
did not report.
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Brain Cancer Death Rate White Female
Sweethome Oregon Superfund Sites
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All Malignant Cancers White Female
Sweethome Oregon Toxic Release Sites
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AGE 2-8
NORWALK - CALIF
From 1953 to 1960 she was in Norwalk, California. During this period she and her family lived
within 500 yards of an oil refinery. The Powerine Refinery (later Cenco owned by PatRobertson) was reportedly one of the dirtiest in the country .
Image of Walker House in Norwalk CA
The Waste Disposal Inc. (WDI) Superfund site (located about 5 miles to the North) was used for
disposal of a variety of industrial wastes. Documentation on disposal was sporadic, but
investigations have shown that drilling muds, sludges, tank bottoms, various industrial wastes,
and construction debris and other solid wastes were disposed at WDI until it was closed in 1964.
For the WDI site, the highest risks are posed by arsenic, thallium, benzene, pesticides, PCBs, and
vinyl chloride. Although contamination has reached the water just 20 ft. below the site, the
chemicals do not appear to have migrated more than a few hundred feet away from the originallocation.
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Image of Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs, CA and Industrial Complex with Superfund Site
Location of Powerine Oil Refinery
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Satellite Image of Powerine Refinery in Relation to Walker House
Photo Image of Walker House in May 1994
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Measurement of Distance from Walker House to Refinery
In 2000, the company paid a one million fine for illegal storage of hazardous wastes a practice
which had been used for decades. According to Senate Testimony by Carlos J. Porras Executive
Director of Communities for a Better Environment:
Powerine was identified by the South Coast Air Quality Management District("SCAQMD" or "Air District") as having the worst record for air quality violations andpublic complaints of any refinery in the South Coast Air Basin. The SCAQMDlevied hundreds of thousands of dollars of fines on Powerine for variousviolations of the Health and Safety code, including criminal violations, andnumerous toxic chemical releases that have endangered the health and safety ofarea workers and residents. The Santa Fe springs Fire Department Chief has statedthat "The Powerine Refinery generates and abnormally high number of releases [of toxicgases]."
Powerine is among a small handful of refineries in the state still using the deadlychemical hydrofluoric acid (HF), which was used as a chemical warfare weapon duringWorld War One. A May 1989 Los Angeles Times article revealed that Powerine was notadequately equipped to handle a major HF leak. An accidental release of HF fromPowerine could kill hundreds, or even thousands, of area workers and residents.
In addition to accidental releases, Powerine was responsible for significantongoing emissions, including releases of such highly toxic and/or carcinogenic
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chemicals as lead, mercury, benzene, cadmium, xylene, toluene, and a long list ofother toxic chemicals. Indeed, despite Powerine's classification as a "small" refinery, itposes almost twice as great a cancer risk to the surrounding community than doesthe Chevron Richmond refinery, one of the largest refineries in the nation, with athroughput approximately five times larger than Powerine's.
Powerine was also responsible for dumping massive quantities (over 400,000 tons) of"criteria" pollutants into the air each year, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides(SOx), particulate matter (PM-10), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). NOx andVOCs form ozone, which is known to cause permanent lung scarring, asthma andemphysema, among other problems. PM-10 has been labeled one of the most seriouspublic health threats, causing respiratory illnesses such as asthma and emphysema, andcan carry cancer-causing chemicals deep into the lungs. VOCs are not only ozone-precursors, but many are also highly toxic chemicals in their own right. Despite its small"size, Powerine was ranked the ninth worst emitter of PM-10 in the entire four-countySouth Coast Air District, and among the top twenty worst for VOCs and SOx. For 1991and 1992, Powerine was the 12th worst overall polluter in the basin. Air samplestaken downwind from Powerine reveal elevated levels of air contaminants.
I was the President of that union for several years, during which time employees voicedconcern over unidentified noxious odors, accidental fires, ominous clouds, andpaint eroding from cars parked near the refinery. These concerns, coupled with thecancer-related deaths of several yard employees prompted the EmployeesAssociation to take action to protect the health and safety of yard employees threatenedby the Powerine facility.
The story of the Powerine Refinery points out the importance of the Clean Air Act. It wasyears of inadequate enforcement of the Act and repeated violations of the Act thatresulted in Powerine's long line of accidents and releases, and ultimately to the closureof the facility. If the South Coast Air District and EPA had aggressively enforced the
requirements of the Act, Powerine could have been made to run cleaner, more safely,and possibly more profitably.
At her residence, it is probable that she was exposed to benzene emissions (common at
refineries) now considered to be above permissible limits for workers. The legal limit at that time
for workers was 35 to 25ppm for an 8hr time weighted average, but is currently just 1ppm. This
means that for brief periods the emissions could have been much larger (both legally and
illegally) and she was exposed 24 hrs. per day for eight years. Benzene toxicity may present as
an acute illness or as a chronic disease. There is a latency period associated with the effects of
benzene exposure for workers ranging from 7 to 40 years from the first exposure for the
effects to begin to show.
Benzene is a known human carcinogen. Long-term exposure can cause leukemia especially
acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and chronic
myelogenous leukemia (CML). Benzene exposure has also been linked to non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma, aplastic anemia, and myelodysplastic syndromes. While there could be a cancer
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cluster around the refinery the overall Death rate for leukemia in Los Angeles County is
low (shown by the map below).
Map of Norwalk TRI/Superfund & Leukemia White Female
(Green Indicates Low Leukemia Rate for the County)
Excessive exposure to benzene can be harmful to the immune system, increasing the chance
for infection and perhaps lowering the body's defense against cancer.
Map of Calif. All Cancer Incidence Rate by County
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The map above shows a high incidence of all cancers combined in Los Angeles County. The
county is also notorious for its high levels of smog and air pollution
Los Angeles Air Pollution with Norwalk Area Sources in Relation to Walker House
The image above shows the high level of air pollution in the area and the numerous polluting
sources. At one time an adjacent community in Cerritos was said by the EPA to have the highest
cancer risk in the nation from air pollution.
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TEENS
CANOGA PARK - CALIF
AGE 8 T0 18
From 1960 to1970 she lived in the Canoga Park and Woodland Hills, CA communities less
than 5 miles from the Santa Susanna Field Laboratory. This 2500 acre facility (shown on the
upper left of image below) where her father worked as a scientist was then called the RocketDyne Rocket Engine and Atomic testing center.
Satellite Image of Rocket Dyne in Relation to Canoga Park Residence and Toxic Release Sites
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Map of Rocket Dyne Facility and Surrounding Communities
Photo of Woodland Hills Residence in 1989 with Toxic Release Sites
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Image of Rocket Dyne and Toxic Release Sites with Walker Residences
The previous year, the first commercial nuclear power plant in the United States with the largesthot lab in the country (where irradiated nuclear fuel was remotely sliced) suffered a partialmeltdown at this location. , This nuclear meltdown that has been named "the worst in U.S.
history", releasing an undisclosed amount of radiation, but thought to be hundreds of times
more than the Three Mile Island disaster in 1979.
Photo of Santa Susanna Field Laboratory [Rocket Dyne]
(Looking Towards Walker Residences)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SSFL_Aerial_2005.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SSFL_Aerial_2005.jpg -
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At least four of the ten nuclear reactors suffered accidents during this period. The AE6
reactor experienced a release offission gasesin March 1959, the SRE experienced apowerexcursionand partialmeltdownin July 1959; the SNAP8ER in 1964 experienced damage to 80%
of its fuel; and the SNAP8DR in 1969 experienced similar damage to one-third of its fuel .[24]
The reactors located on the grounds of SSFL were considered experimental, and therefore hadnocontainment structures. Reactors and highly radioactive components were housed without
the large concrete domes that surround modernpower reactors.
James Palmer, A former worker at the site reported that 22 men on his 27 man crew died of
cancer.
: "They had seven wells up there,water wells, and every damn one of them was
contaminated," Palmer said, "It was a horror story."
Workers would dispose of barrels filled with highly toxic waste by shooting the
barrels with rifles so that they would explode and release their contents into the air
An oversight panel worker study, released in 1999, found SSFL worker exposure to
radiation appears to have increased the risk of dying from lung cancer, cancers of the
blood and lymph system, and cancers of the upper-digestive-tract (including cancers of the
oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, and stomach). The second part of the worker study
observed positive associations between occupational exposure to hydrazine (and/or other
chemicals associated with rocket-engine testing) and the rates of dying from cancers of the
lung, the blood and lymph system, and bladder and kidney.
An advisory panel later concluded that contamination at the facility resulted in between 30
and 1,800 cancer deaths (the average estimate was 300 deaths). The report also concludedthat the SRE meltdown caused the release of more than 458 times the amount of radiation
released by the Three Mile Island accident.
Former employees of the Rocket Dyne Laboratory and their families have been stricken
with various cancers at higher than normal rates. In February 2004, the Los Angeles Times
reported that experts had testified that 120 area residents (the plaintiffs in a six year lawsuit)
were exposed by inhalation to a number of hazardous substances, including hexavalent
chromium, radionuclides, trichloroethylene and a toxic chemical cloud containing
multiple human carcinogens that caused at least 83 plaintiffs to contract cancer . The
experts concluded that theplaintiffs exposure to hazardous substances released from Rocket
Dynesfacilities in reasonable medical probability, was a substantial factor in contributing to
the risk of developing their injuries or cancer. These results confirm a study by the state health
department in 1991 that detected an elevated rate of bladder cancers in areas within five
miles of the Rocket Dyne facility.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fission_producthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fission_producthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fission_producthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticality_accidenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticality_accidenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticality_accidenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticality_accidenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_meltdownhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_meltdownhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_meltdownhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Susana_Field_Laboratory#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Susana_Field_Laboratory#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Susana_Field_Laboratory#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Containment_buildinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Containment_buildinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Containment_buildinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power_planthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power_planthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power_planthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_wellhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_wellhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_wellhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxic_wastehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meltdownhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Mile_Island_accidenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Mile_Island_accidenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meltdownhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxic_wastehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_wellhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power_planthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Containment_buildinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Susana_Field_Laboratory#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_meltdownhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticality_accidenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticality_accidenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fission_product -
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Exposure to radiation is a proven risk factor for thyroid cancer. However, no one knows for
sure the exact causes of thyroid cancer. Doctors can seldom explain why one person gets
this disease and another does not.
Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop
thyroid cancer. The relevant risk factors for the subject are
1. A source of radiation is radioactive fallout. This includes fallout from atomic weapons
testing (such as the testing in the United States and elsewhere in the world, mainly in the
1950s and 1960s), nuclear power plant accidents (such as the Chernobyl [also called
Chernobyl] accident in 1986), and releases from atomic weapons production plants
(such as the Hanford facility in Washington state in the late 1940s). Such radioactive
fallout contains radioactive iodine (I-131). People who were exposed to one or more
sources of I-131, especially if they were children at the time of their exposure, may
have an increased risk for thyroid diseases.
2. Being female. In the United States, women are two to three times more likely than men
to develop thyroid cancer.
3. Age. Most patients with thyroid cancer are more than 40 years old. People with
anaplastic thyroid cancer are usually more than 65 years old.
4. Race. In the United States, white people are more likely than African Americans to be
diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
5. Perchloratea chemical found in rocket fuel and measured in 18 water wells in the Simi
Valley at levels of 20 parts per billion( 4 ppb is the safe limit). The well water was mixed
with surface water in the citys water supply. Perchlorate causes impaired thyroid
function. It affects metabolism, hormone levels, growth and organ development.Exposure to perchlorate can be most dangerous for children and pregnant women. It is
easily transferable to infants through breast milk. Continuous exposure to perchlorate
could also lead to a higher risk of thyroid cancer.
A radiation and chemical cause for Thyroid Cancer in the subject should be closely monitored.
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TWENTIES-
SAN JOSE -CALIF
AGE 22 to 28
Satellite Image of San Jose CA with Superfund and Toxic Release Inventory Sites
From 1974-1980, the subject lived and worked in San Jose CA. This area has numerous toxic
release inventory sites, but generally they are commonly low emissions under ten thousand
pounds per year. One drum recycling plant (Lorentz) about 3 miles away received over 2 million
barrels of liquid waste between 1968 and 1987 until it was shut down for health and safety
violations. The plant area was small (5 acres) and pollution was mainly confined to the local
creek. The area currently has a very low death rate for all malignant cancers combined as well as
COPD for white females.
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San Jose with Pollution Sites Overlain with
Death Rate for All Malignant Cancers in White Females
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THIRTY SOMETHING-
MTN VIEW -CALIF
AGE 28 to 43
Image of Mtn. View, CA with Toxic Release Sites
From 1980 to 1995, she lived in Mountain View CA and worked as a Coach Bus Operator. This
region of Santa Clara has numerous toxic release inventory sites but those within 3 miles arecommonly low emissions under one thousand pounds per year.
One Superfund site (Jasco Chemical) is within one mile of the town. JASCO repackaged and
formulated chemical products on the 2.05 acre Villa Street site from 1976 until December 1995.
Bulk solvents used at the site were received by tankers and stored in eight underground storage
tanks. Prior to 1985, Tank #3 was used to store pentachlorophenol (PCP), which was an
ingredient of a wood preservative formerly produced by Jasco. The product was discontinued in
1985, and the tank was converted to store paint thinner. Elevated levels of volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) were detected in soils from a swale area located behind the building and in
the shallow groundwater. Past waste disposal practices, and possibly leakage from anunderground storage tank and surface water, may have contributed to soil and groundwater
contamination. The City of Mountain View has a total population of approximately 62,000. The
only surface water body within one mile is Permanente Creek. Approximately 330,000 people
within three miles of the site depend on groundwater for drinking water. In 1987, the City
of Mountain View shut down one well near the site to determine whether site activities would
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affect the well. In 1988, after the investigations revealed that contamination had not migrated
into the groundwater for this well, it was placed back into operation.
Due to its past history as a center for semiconductor manufacturing, Mountain View has seven
sites on the Environmental Protection Agency's Final National Priorities List (NPL), a list of
hazardous waste sites in the United States eligible for long-term remedial action financed underthe federal Superfund program. The sites were formerly used by companies including Fairchild
Semiconductor, Intel, Raytheon, and Teledyne.
Within two miles of the town were the Intel Corp site and two other Superfund sites in Silicon
Valley. The facility formerly manufactured semiconductors at this 2-acre property from 1968
until 1981. The Intel site is one of three Superfund or National Priorities List (NPL) sites that are
being cleaned up simultaneously. The other two Superfund sites are the Fairchild Semiconductor
Corp. (Mountain View Plant) site and Raytheon site. Site investigations at several of these
facilities during 1981 and 1982 revealed significant soil and groundwater contamination by toxic
chemicals, primarily volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Subject recalls that helicopters dropped Malathion pesticide between 1991 and 1995. In
jurisdictions which spray malathion for pest control, it is often recommended to keep windows
closed and air conditioners turned off while spraying is taking place, in an attempt to minimize
entry of malathion into the closed environment of residential homes. Malathion breaks down
into Malaoxon. In studies of the effects of long-term exposure to oral ingestion of malaoxon in
rats, malaoxon has been shown to be 61 times more toxic than malathion. In 2000, the
conclusion of the Scientific Advisory Panel was that there was still insufficient evidence to either
declare malathion as non-carcinogenic, or to declare it a carcinogen. It is a suspected endocrine
disruptor.
A Canadian study of mosquito fogging in 2004 concluded that single exposures to ground level
Ultra Low Volume spraying, done properly, is extremely unlikely to cause any serious acute
health effects and no long-term health effects. However, spraying experience in the U.S. has
shown that accidents happen, and occasionally the spraying will be conducted improperly.
Volunteers sprayed directly with Malathion for over a month showed no adverse health effects.
A 4 year study of spraying in the US in 9 states involving over 100 million people revealed that
45 people sought medical attention for Malathion poisoning and none showed lasting harmful
effects.
Subject would have been exposed to exhaust fumes as bus operator continuously driving the
streets and waiting in traffic. Gasoline and diesel exhaust and their combustion products contain
carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and sulfur, hydrocarbons and solid particles of respirable
(breathable) size. Among the hydrocarbons are formaldehyde, methane, benzene, phenol, 1-3-
butadiene, acrolein and a group of compounds known as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs),
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several of these hydrocarbons can cause cancer. The chemical compounds can also attach to the
solid particles and be carried into the lungs.
Recent studies indicate that older men and women long exposed to higher levels of traffic-related
particles and ozone had memory and reasoning problems that effectively added five years to their
mental age, university researchers in Boston reported this year. The emissions may also heightenthe risk of Alzheimer's disease and speed the effects of Parkinson's disease.
Researcher in the Netherlands have shown this year that breathing street-level fumes for just 30
minutes can intensify electrical activity in brain regions responsible for behavior, personality and
decision-making, changes that are suggestive of stress.
In addition to acute problems from breathing exhaust, fumes have been linked to Fatigue, blurred
vision, dizziness, weakness, slurred speech, confusion, seizures, convulsions, coma, death,
possible liver or kidney damage, and cancer (possible kidney cancer). Diesel exhaust is believed
to play a role in other health problems, such as eye irritation, headache, asthma and other lungdiseases (including lung cancer, heart disease, and possibly immune system problems.
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FORTIES-
MONTEREY -CALIF
AGE 43 to 52
Image of Monterey Calif. Showing Lack of Toxic Release Inventory Sites
From 1995 to 2004 subject resided in Monterey Calif. The county is mostly pristine with no
Toxic Release Sites within 10 miles and only one Superfund site at the former Fort Ord military
base. This 25,000 acre army artillery range was closed in 1994. The site contained leaking
petroleum underground storage tanks, a 150 acre landfill that was primarily used to dispose of
residential waste and small amounts of commercial waste generated by the base. Groundwater is
contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in various locations. One of the
contaminated groundwater plumes near the City of Marina has migrated off site.
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Map of Fort Ord Burn Site with Wind Rose During Burn Period
As part of the long-term base closure process of the former Fort Ord U.S. Army Base, the Army
has conducted a prescribed burn of several former firing ranges. These burns were conducted to
remove vegetation from the firing ranges, thus allowing subsequent cleanup of unexploded
munitions possibly left on the firing ranges. The burn was conducted between Oct 24-Oct 26,
2003 and some burn products were detected onsite and offsite.
Although the majority of analytical measurements were non-detections, several contaminants
were detected at both on-site and off-site locations including smoke and particulate matter (PM-
10).
Examples of compounds detected include nitrobenzene, n-nitrotoluene, nitroglycerin, n-
dinitrotoluene. Other potential contaminants of concern include particulate metals (such as
beryllium, chromium, cobalt, lead, mercury, zinc, and others) and dioxins and furans. These are
highly toxic and many are carcinogenic compounds. They report that only PM-10, aluminum,
and acrolein were found above their respective health comparison values at off-site locations.
However, the military bases have a long history of minimizing their environmental impacts and
have been known to even falsify their records. The subject would do well to review whether she
was present in the area when the black smoke was drifting over the community.
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FIFTIES-
MTN HOME, ARK
AGE 52-59
Image of Mtn. Home AR with Toxic Release Sites in Relation to Walker Residence
Subject currently resides in Mountain Home Arkansas and has lived theresince 2004. There
are no Superfund Sites in the area but there are four Toxic Release Inventory sites within two
miles of the residence These chemical release sites have been gradually decreasing their air
emissions but each still release more than 1000 pounds/yr. of phthalates. The worst is Epoxyn
Products which emits over 4000 pounds of phthalic anhydride per year. This chemical is used in
the production of phthalate plasticizers and certain dyes, paints, lacquers and insect repellents.
Epoxyn Products in Mtn. Home manufactures laboratory equipment and supplies. Inhaling
phthalic anhydride can cause asthma-like allergies and can lead to bronchitis. It can also damage
the liver and kidneys. The occupational reference level set for workers is 20 parts per billion.
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Map of Mtn. Home AR Showing Toxic Release Sites
Baxter Labs and Eaton Corp in Mtn. Home AR manufacture medical supplies including rubber
and plastic hoses and plastic tubes and fittings. Diethyl Phthalate (DEP) is its primary emission
of concern... Exposure to DEP is suspected of contributing to premature development in young
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girls and ADHD in children.
Since the subject moved to Mtn. Home, Eaton have dramatically curtailed their releases of this
chemical from more than a thousand pounds per year to less than 10 pounds per year. Only
Women who are pregnant or who desire to become pregnant should be concerned with this past
pollution.
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Baxter Co Air Pollution Sources
Map of Baxter Counter AR with Toxic Release Sites
Overlain with Death Rate from Ovarian Cancer in White Females
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Air Pollution In Baxter County with Sources in Mtn. Home AR
Baxter County has a very high mortality rate for leukemia and ovarian cancer. It also has
elevated death rate for all malignant cancers combined and lung cancer, colon and rectum cancer,
for white females, and a decreased risk of breast cancer compared with all counties in the US.
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While the next nearest Toxic Release Inventory Sites are about 10 miles away, they are located
upwind on the edge of the county. These three polluting boat building companies have released
phenomenal amounts of styrene into the air. One factory released nearly 300,000 pounds of
styrene in 2006 and the other two averaged about 25,000 pounds each during that year.
MethylMethacylate (MMA) is also found in plastics, but it is a skin irritant which may cause
allergic reactions
In June 2011, the Dept. of Health and Human Services reclassified Styrene as Reasonably
Anticipated to be a Carcinogen. Doctors have warned that it has been linked to leukemia and
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lymphomas in animal testing. Although the levels of Styrene emitted in these boat building areas
are decreasing, they are still alarmingly high. They could be contributing to the overall Cancer
death rates in the region. Caution should be used when doing business or lingering in the vicinity
of these factories.
Map of Toxic Release Sites in Baxter County AR Overlain with
Death Rate for All Malignant Cancers for White Females
Additional factors which client may wish to consider are ingestion of heavy metals. Mercury
vapors are given off by silver fillings of dental amalgams. The number, condition and length of
time fillings were in place should influence whether action is needed.
Additionally, the amount and frequency of consumption of predatory fish like tuna, swordfish
and shark should be within FDA recommended guidelines to reduce mercury accumulation.
They advise women to avoid swordfish and shark and do not consume more than 6 oz. ofalbacore tuna per week. Other seafood like shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and
catfish can be eaten up to 12 oz. per week
The use of imported vitamin supplements or herbs should be closely scrutinized to avoid those
sourced from India, Bangladesh or other areas known to have water and soils contaminated with
arsenic.
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Finally, each of the major toxic exposures (primarily Benzene and Radiation), should be
discussed thoroughly with a doctor in light of the subjects history. This history may weigh
heavily on course of treatment, prognosis, and future diagnosis of chronic diseases,