OEPA to test air, water in town fearing cancer

CLYDE, Ohio (AP) — The state’s environmental chief says trying to find out what is causing a surprisingly high number of children to have cancer is his top priority.

At least 18 children in this Sandusky County town have been diagnosed with cancer in recent years.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will begin monitoring air and water by January, said director Chris Korleski.

“I can’t imagine what the families who have been affected by this have gone through,” he said Tuesday at a meeting with concerned residents to talk about what steps are coming in the next few months.

Ohio health department officials will analyze where the children diagnosed with cancer live and where they have spent their time since birth. That report is expected to be ready in April.

“There’s always the possibility this could happen by chance alone, but it’s not likely,” said Dr. Robert Indian, chief of the comprehensive cancer program at the health department.

Still, the odds are against finding out what is causing childhood cancer rates to be higher in the area because the types of cancer vary and the children are different ages and live in different neighborhoods, he said.

“The truth is, we don’t know what causes the vast majority of childhood cancer cases,” he said.

A health department study started in 2006 confirmed that there is an abnormally high number of childhood cancer cases. Since then, studies have not come up with any conclusions.

The state EPA didn’t find any warning signs after reviewing whether any area companies or dumps are the source of any cancer-causing emissions.

The cancers included brain tumors, lymphoma, leukemia and melanoma. Some of the children were toddlers and some were teens.

“Because of the difference between the cancers, there are no easy answers,” said David Pollick, director of the Sandusky County Health Department.

Dave Hisey and his wife, Donna, have lived the nightmare twice.

His daughter Tyler was diagnosed with myelocytic leukemia in 2006. She’s now cancer-free. But in August their 10-year-old son, Tanner, was diagnosed with lymphocytic leukemia.

Hisey said he wants a thorough study of the area. “Whether we find anything or not, hopefully this will put people’s minds to rest,” he said.

Some families have said that officials have been slow to come up with a plan to find potential sources and set up the air and water monitoring.

Matt Hofelich said he is glad things finally are moving forward. His 13-year-old daughter, Holly, has had surgeries to remove a brain tumor and a vertebra from the top of her spine after being diagnosed with cancer in 2001.

“I don’t want to see this occur with somebody else’s child,” her father said.