(3/24/99)
Are the people of Farmington suffering from an uncommonly highincidence of
cancer and neurological disorders?
Some people think so.
Science Specialist Ed Yeates reports from Farmington, where the Davis
County Health Department plans to launch a two year study to find answers to
that disturbing question.
We first reported on these concerns in November of last year.
Deanie Stott who suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome and neuropathy said
too many people in her neighborhood are ill.
Over the past four months, Deanie has done her own survey - even preparing
a sickness map - mostly of people with cancers.
Deanie admits she has more good days now than bad - but her
neurological illness is still there.
"It's hard to get up out of bed in the morning because my muscles ache and they
feel like lead and I can't run anymore," she says.
The Stott's believe pesticides used by florists and farmers in this area in
the 40's and 50's - tainted the soil.
Deanie says it was frightening when her doctor talked to her four
years ago.
She says he told her, "One thing I know is that you have been exposed to
something toxic because you have - your nerves have been damaged."
The Health Department's preliminary investigation shows no basis for
Deanie's geographical claims.
But to make sure, it will now do a 2-year surveillance not just here
but of the whole town of Farmington.
James Saunders, M.D./Dir., Davis County Health Dept. says, "We find out how
uncomfortable people are. And if they're uncomfortable and they're having new
illnesses, then we'll find out about it, then we can study it, then we can come
to some conclusions. Right now, it's pretty confusing."
Within the next two weeks, the Davis County Health Department will publish a
notice in the newspaper announcing the two-year sentinel surveillance. And it
will use a questionairre based on protocols already established by the state
health department.
Dr. Saunders says, "They will have to have had a first diagnosis within this
two year time window. They will have to give us permission to call their
physician and verify that."
Since one in three people will get some form of cancer within their
lifetime, almost all neighborhoods have it.
Dr Saunders believes this surveillance like most others will show NO
correlation for cancer or the other illnesses.
