In New Castle, Delaware, there has been a statistically higher number of residents who have developed cancer in comparison to other places in Delaware and across the country due to pollution. Residents in seven New Castle County communities including Belvedere, Cedar Heights, Dunleith, Marshallton, Newport, Oakmont, and Southbridge are at greater risk for this disease. Hazardous waste sites and factories have contributed to major pollution problems in these areas. Residents in these specified communities are known to get cancer 10 percent to 45 percent more than other Delaware communities as seen by a study done by state health officials. These percentages are significantly higher than most studies, which shows that an error in the study was unlikely. In the Middletown-Odensa census area, residents were 44.8 percent more likely to develop colorectal cancer in terms of the state average. Also, Wilmington, Delaware had a comprehensive cancer rate that was 10 percent higher than the average. The heightened cancer statistics in these communities are directly linked to nearby polluting grounds. The presence of ten commonly linked chemicals in seven of these eight communities are responsible for a drastic percentage of individuals who are being diagnosed with cancer. About half of cancer cases in these areas have to do with formaldehyde. Respiratory problems in the area have also been connected to chlorine, acrolein, acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, and diesel substance. Chemicals are acting as the instigators for why these communities are being hit so hard with cancer.
Although there is strong evidence to suggest that these elevated rates of cancer in these cluster zones are due to pollution, other factors may be at fault. According to Dr. Karyl Rattay, lifestyle choices may be a contributing factor. She suggests that individuals in these localities may need a better diet and regular exercise to combat the disease as well. A higher reliance on tobacco is also negatively affecting community members. The data that has been gathered is accurate when it points to elevated cancer rates in these New Castle, Delaware communities, but the cause of these rates may be due to non-environmental issues like lifestyle choices.
Newman, Meredith. “Report: 7 New Castle Communities at Greater Risk for Cancer, Respiratory Illness.” Delawareonline, The News Journal, 19 Oct. 2017, www.delawareonline.com/story/news/health/2017/10/19/report-7-new-castle-communities-greater-risk-cancer-respiratory-illness/768971001/.
In New Castle, Delaware, there has been a statistically higher number of residents who have developed cancer in comparison to other places in Delaware and across the country due to pollution. Residents in seven New Castle County communities including Belvedere, Cedar Heights, Dunleith, Marshallton, Newport, Oakmont, and Southbridge are at greater risk for this disease. Hazardous waste sites and factories have contributed to major pollution problems in these areas. Residents in these specified communities are known to get cancer 10 percent to 45 percent more than other Delaware communities as seen by a study done by state health officials. These percentages are significantly higher than most studies, which shows that an error in the study was unlikely. In the Middletown-Odensa census area, residents were 44.8 percent more likely to develop colorectal cancer in terms of the state average. Also, Wilmington, Delaware had a comprehensive cancer rate that was 10 percent higher than the average. The heightened cancer statistics in these communities are directly linked to nearby polluting grounds. The presence of ten commonly linked chemicals in seven of these eight communities are responsible for a drastic percentage of individuals who are being diagnosed with cancer. About half of cancer cases in these areas have to do with formaldehyde. Respiratory problems in the area have also been connected to chlorine, acrolein, acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, and diesel substance. Chemicals are acting as the instigators for why these communities are being hit so hard with cancer.
ReplyDeleteAlthough there is strong evidence to suggest that these elevated rates of cancer in these cluster zones are due to pollution, other factors may be at fault. According to Dr. Karyl Rattay, lifestyle choices may be a contributing factor. She suggests that individuals in these localities may need a better diet and regular exercise to combat the disease as well. A higher reliance on tobacco is also negatively affecting community members. The data that has been gathered is accurate when it points to elevated cancer rates in these New Castle, Delaware communities, but the cause of these rates may be due to non-environmental issues like lifestyle choices.
Newman, Meredith. “Report: 7 New Castle Communities at Greater Risk for Cancer, Respiratory Illness.” Delawareonline, The News Journal, 19 Oct. 2017, www.delawareonline.com/story/news/health/2017/10/19/report-7-new-castle-communities-greater-risk-cancer-respiratory-illness/768971001/.