Clyde cancer cluster
{{Short description|Childhood cancer cluster in and around Clyde, Ohio, U.S.}}
{{redirect|Whirlpool Park|the state park in Niagara County, New York|Whirlpool State Park}}
{{More medical citations needed|date=October 2021}}
The Clyde cancer cluster was a childhood cancer cluster located in and around Clyde, Ohio, United States. The cluster was classified{{cite web | title = Cancer Clusters, Disease, and the need to Protect People from Toxic Chemicals |publisher=Natural Resources Defense Council| url = https://www.nrdc.org/health/diseaseclusters/files/diseaseclusters_issuepaper.pdf | access-date = 2015-12-30 }} by the Ohio Department of Health in 2009. In an 11-year interval, ten childhood cancers were documented in an area where 5.3 were expected, and four pediatric brain and central nervous system cancers were reported, in an area where 0.92 were expected. According to the ODH, the odds of this happening without a common cause are less than 1 in 20.{{Cite web |url=http://ftpcontent4.worldnow.com/wtol/pdf/ChildhoodCancerinEasternSanduskyCountyaProfile52611.pdf |title=Eastern Sandusky County Childhood Cancer Case Review, 1996-2010 |access-date=2017-12-12 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20171212053102/http://ftpcontent4.worldnow.com/wtol/pdf/ChildhoodCancerinEasternSanduskyCountyaProfile52611.pdf |archive-date=2017-12-12 |url-status=live }} No known commonality exists between the cases, and despite years of investigation no cause has been found.
After the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency carried out soil tests in the Whirlpool Corporation's former corporate park, Whirlpool Park, in Green Springs, Ohio, it was apparent that soil on the property contained polychlorinated biphenyls. Whirlpool Corporation faced two lawsuits, perhaps the most notable one being Brown v. Whirlpool Corporation, of which the main plaintiff was Wendy Brown, as the park is perhaps the most well known suspected{{by whom|date=December 2017}} cause of the cluster. This lawsuit was dismissed in 2014, and the other, Sandusky County v. Whirlpool Corporation, was withdrawn in 2015. In January 2016, the EPA reported that Whirlpool Park had been cleared of PCB contamination.{{cite web|title=Eastern Sandusky County Assessment Project|url=https://www3.epa.gov/region5/cleanup/easternsandusky/|website=www3.epa.gov/region5/cleanup/easternsandusky/|publisher=EPA|access-date=22 March 2016}}
Early investigation
In 2006, the Ohio Department of Health recognized that the incidence of child cancer cases in the Clyde area was abnormally high, and in 2007, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency started investigating possible causes.{{cite web | title = News 11 Special Report: Cancer Cluster | publisher = WTOL | last = Walsh | first = Jonathan | date = 6 November 2008 | url = http://www.fox19.com/story/9306054/news-11-special-report-cancer-cluster | access-date = 2015-12-30 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151227014407/http://www.fox19.com/story/9306054/news-11-special-report-cancer-cluster | archive-date = 27 December 2015 | url-status = dead }} Many community members became angry because of what they perceived as little progress made by the agency throughout this series of investigations.November 8, 2008, Jonathan Walsh, [http://www.fox19.com/story/9316061/woman-takes-action-in-clyde-cancer-cluster-study "Woman takes action in Clyde cancer cluster study"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226214553/http://www.fox19.com/story/9316061/woman-takes-action-in-clyde-cancer-cluster-study |date=2015-12-26 }}, WTOLNovember 19, 2008, Jonathan Walsh [http://www.fox19.com/story/9376366/residents-demand-answers-in-cancer-cluster-case "Residents demand answers in cancer cluster case"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226234242/http://www.fox19.com/story/9376366/residents-demand-answers-in-cancer-cluster-case |date=2015-12-26 }}, WTOLAugust 18, 2011, [http://www.cleveland19.com/story/15294516/getting-action-feds-travel-to-clyde-oh-to-investigate-cancer-cluster "Getting Action: Feds travel to Clyde, OH to investigate Cancer Cluster"], WOIODecember 3, 2009, Jonathan Walsh, [http://www.fox19.com/story/11618607/parents-of-kids-with-cancer-frustrated-with-ohio-department-of-health "Parents of kids with cancer frustrated with Ohio Department of Health"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226215610/http://www.fox19.com/story/11618607/parents-of-kids-with-cancer-frustrated-with-ohio-department-of-health |date=2015-12-26 }}, WTOL The lack of possible causes found during the early investigations of the cluster was a source of continuing worry for the affected community.June 17, 2011, [http://www.cleveland19.com/story/14930336/ohios-epa-director-questioned-about-clyde-cancer-cluster "Ohio's Federal EPA Director questioned about the Clyde Cancer Cluster"], WOIOFebruary 9, 2011, [http://www.cleveland19.com/story/13999012/terrified-ohio-parents-want-to-know-whats-killing-their-children "Exclusive: Terrified Ohio parents want to know what's killing their children"], WOIOFebruary 10, 2011, [http://www.cleveland19.com/story/14006909/friday-sweeps "Part II: Terrified Ohio parents want to know what's killing their children"], WOIO
In December 2009, at a meeting with affected families, the Department of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency distributed a map of the area pinpointing the locations of the homes of children who had cancer.December 15, 2009, Lisa Strawbridge, [http://www.fox19.com/story/11677927/map-released-of-expanded-cancer-cluster "Map released of expanded cancer cluster"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227020023/http://www.fox19.com/story/11677927/map-released-of-expanded-cancer-cluster |date=2015-12-27 }}, WTOL
Whirlpool Corporation investigation
In late 2011 and early 2012, over a period of several months, the Environmental Protection Agency tested soil in several different parts of Clyde and surrounding areas.January 5, 2012, [http://www.cleveland19.com/story/16451479/cancer-cluster "Cancer Cluster: EPA to test over a dozen sites in Sandusky County"], WOIOAugust 29, 2011, [http://www.cleveland19.com/story/15297338/clyde-cancer-cluster "Soil sample test results in Clyde cancer cluster investigation"], WOIO In late July 2012, investigators found polychlorinated biphenyls, which is a probable human carcinogen,{{Cite web|date=2021|title=Learn about Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)|url=https://www.epa.gov/pcbs/learn-about-polychlorinated-biphenyls-pcbs|url-status=live|access-date=8 May 2021|website=EPA|publisher=U.S. Environmental Protection Agency|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415141916/https://www.epa.gov/pcbs/learn-about-polychlorinated-biphenyls-pcbs |archive-date=2016-04-15 }}{{Cite journal|title = Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) carcinogenicity with special emphasis on airborne PCBs|journal = Gefahrstoffe, Reinhaltung der Luft = Air Quality Control / Herausgeber, BIA und KRDL Im VDI und DIN|date = 2011-01-01|issn = 0949-8036|pmc = 3113507|pmid = 21686028|pages = 25–32|volume = 71|issue = 1–2|first1 = Larry W.|last1 = Robertson|first2 = Gabriele|last2 = Ludewig}} in the soil of the property that was formerly known as Whirlpool Park,{{cite web | title = Clyde Cancer Cluster clue |publisher=WOIO|date= 1 August 2012| url = http://www.cleveland19.com/story/19173772/clyde-cancer-cluster-clue | access-date = 2015-12-31 }} a recreational park that was owned by the Whirlpool Corporation until the park was shut down in 2008. This park, located near Green Springs, Ohio, consisted of a pool, children's playing equipment, and a basketball court, and the property was apparently used as a dumping ground for this toxic waste.November 14, 2012, [http://www.newtonindependent.com/newton_independent/2012/11/whirlpool-park-near-clyde-ohio-found-to-be-toxic-dumping-ground.html "Whirlpool Park near Clyde, Ohio found to be toxic dumping ground"], Newton Independent The agency investigated Clyde's Whirlpool plant further, and found no other Whirlpool facilities in Clyde containing any illegal chemical substances.November 14, 2012, [http://www.cleveland19.com/story/20096253/victims-families-start-investigation-into-clyde-cancer-cluster "Victims' families start Clyde Cancer Cluster investigation"], WOIO
On March 28, 2013, a $750 million class action lawsuitMay 27, 2013, Emily Valdez, [http://fox8.com/2013/05/27/residents-briefed-on-clyde-cancer-cluster-case/ "Residents Briefed on ‘Clyde Cancer Cluster’ Case"], WJW was filed against Whirlpool,March 28, 2013, [http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/03/750_million_class-action_lawsu.html "$750 million class-action lawsuit filed in Clyde, Ohio, cancer cluster case"], Associated Press other companies suspected of also dumping toxic waste at the park, and the family who currently owns the property that was formerly Whirlpool Park.March 29, 2013, Tom Jackson, [http://www.sanduskyregister.com/News/2013/03/29/Lawsuit-blames-Whirlpool-for-cancer-cluster.html "Lawsuit blames Whirlpool for cancer cluster"], Sandusky Register This lawsuit, Wendy Brown, et al. v. Whirlpool Corporation,[http://ftpcontent4.worldnow.com/wtol/pdf/WhirlpoolDecision2-10.pdf Case No. 3:13CV1092: Wendy Brown, et al. v. Whirlpool Corporation] consisted of 27 plaintiffs, including both Wendy and Warren Brown. The amount sought was for the expenses of cleaning the houses containing benzaldehyde and for cleaning the park, as well as the damage the cluster caused altogether.May 15, 2013, Vanessa McCray, [http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2013/05/15/27-plaintiffs-sue-Whirlpool-over-Clyde-cancer-cluster.html "27 plaintiffs sue Whirlpool over Clyde cancer cluster"], The Blade The lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice, at the plaintiffs' request, in early 2015 with no reason given.February 21, 2015, [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/feb/21/ohio-families-drop-cancer-cluster-suit-against-whi/ "Ohio families drop cancer cluster suit against Whirlpool"], The Washington TimesFebruary 18, 2015, Kristina Smith, [http://www.thenews-messenger.com/story/news/local/2015/02/18/cancer-cluster-lawsuit-dropped/23628511/ "Cancer cluster lawsuit against Whirlpool dropped"], Fremont News MessengerNovember 9, 2013, Kristina Smith, [http://www.wkyc.com/story/news/health/2013/11/08/lawsuit-against-whirlpool-regarding-cancer-cluster-dismissed/3478941/ "One of Two Lawsuits against Whirlpool for Clyde cancer cluster dismissed"], Fremont News Messenger Whirlpool promised to rid the property of all toxic waste in August 2015.July 31, 2015, Kristina Smith, [http://www.thenews-messenger.com/story/news/local/2015/07/31/whirlpool-agrees-clean-toxic-former-park/30964399/ "Whirlpool agrees to clean up toxic former park"], Fremont News MessengerAugust 5, 2015, Tom Jackson, [http://www.sanduskyregister.com/Environment/2015/08/05/Whirlpool-clean-up-former-Whirlpool-Park.html "Whirlpool clean up former Whirlpool Park"], Sandusky Register
Community Actions
Throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, many citizens of Clyde, and of Ohio in general, held fundraisers,October 12, 2008, Nick Dutton, [http://www.fox19.com/story/9165801/hundreds-attend-fundraiser-for-clyde-cancer-kids "Hundreds attend fundraiser for Clyde cancer kids"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226215221/http://www.fox19.com/story/9165801/hundreds-attend-fundraiser-for-clyde-cancer-kids |date=2015-12-26 }}, WTOLJuly 13, 2011, [http://www.cleveland19.com/story/15074648/hiseys "Clyde family hosts golf benefit for cancer cluster"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226192143/http://www.cleveland19.com/story/15074648/hiseys |date=2015-12-26 }}, WOIO gave donations, and helped maintain memories of those who died in the cluster.October 23, 2009, Jonathan Walsh, [http://www.fox19.com/story/11370805/perrysburg-boy-works-to-honor-alexa-browns-memo "Perrysburg boy works to honor Alexa Brown's memory"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226194742/http://www.fox19.com/story/11370805/perrysburg-boy-works-to-honor-alexa-browns-memo |date=2015-12-26 }}, WTOL Several documentaries by citizens of Clyde were created that centered around personal experiences with cancer and the effects it had on the Clyde community.March 3, 2010, Erica Shaffer [http://www.fox19.com/story/12078827/clyde-students-earn-state-award-for-cancer-documentary "Clyde students earn state award for cancer documentary"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226213848/http://www.fox19.com/story/12078827/clyde-students-earn-state-award-for-cancer-documentary |date=2015-12-26 }}, WTOLDecember 7, 2010, [http://www.fox19.com/story/13628117/cancer-cluster-documentary-is-complete "Filmmaker completes cancer cluster documentary"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226220530/http://www.fox19.com/story/13628117/cancer-cluster-documentary-is-complete |date=2015-12-26 }}, WTOL In 2015, the president of the City of Clyde Landscape Committee, Bev Henson, formed a private committee to work on the Clyde Children's Memorial. It is a marble memorial with the names of the victims engraved on the top of seven pedestral marble, arranged in a circle around a lower center stone inscribed with the phrase "Remember Our Children". The memorial was unveiled to the public in 2017. It is set across from the gazebo and along the bike trail west of maple street.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thenews-messenger.com/story/news/local/2017/04/20/clyde-childrens-memorial-planned-cancer-victims/100419922/|title=Clyde Children's Memorial planned for cancer victims|work=The News-Messenger|access-date=2017-11-04|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/local/2017/10/26/clyde-childrens-cancer-memorial-unveiled-sunday/791332001/|title=Clyde Children's Cancer Memorial to be unveiled Sunday|work=USA TODAY|access-date=2017-11-04|language=en}}
See also
{{Portal|Chemistry|Companies|Law|Medicine|Ohio}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Clyde, Ohio}}
{{Medicine}}
External links
- [http://www.epa.ohio.gov/districts/clyde.aspx Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Eastern Sandusky County Environmental Investigation]
- [https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCOURTS-ohnd-3_13-cv-01092/pdf/USCOURTS-ohnd-3_13-cv-01092-0.pdf Wendy Brown et al. v. Whirlpool Corporation]
- [http://www3.epa.gov/region5/cleanup/easternsandusky/ US EPA Eastern Sandusky County Assessment Project]
- [http://ftpcontent4.worldnow.com/wtol/pdf/ChildhoodCancerinEasternSanduskyCountyaProfile52611.pdf Childhood Cancer in Eastern Sandusky County, 1996-2010: A Profile of 21 Cases]