Cancer/contaminants at Susquehanna

[supercheesegirl]

I know there's been a lot of buzz about the possibility of carcinogens being in the water/soil in Selinsgrove, PA. For those who haven't heard, this is the town where my alma mater, Susquehanna University, is located; the mother of a student who died young from cancer is possibly looking into a lawsuit.

I've read some of the articles, but most of them I just forwarded to my best friend, Sarah. Sarah is not only a Susquehanna graduate, she's also an experienced environmental scientist who currently works for the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. She investigates claims like this for a living and has no problem with nailing polluting corporations to the wall. Here is what Sarah said:

I have been looking into this and checking with some people (legit training since this is what I deal with here), and the response from SU is correct. Considering the levels, the exact contaminants, the exposure pathways/concentrations/latency times, and the fact that the area is served by municipal water that is tested annually (and does NOT have any detected carcinogens in it), this is a very unfortunate coincidence.

I know some people here on LJ have been concerned, so that's why I'm posting this. I am not a scientist or environmentalist myself, but somebody I trust is, so I thought you'd like to know her thoughts.

Comments

[sleepyworm.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was having a hard time buying the contaminant story myself, but I couldn't say exactly why.

[bulleteyes.livejournal.com]

For me it was more a 'let's post this and see what the folks who went there have to say". I figure I'd rather give folks information and let them investigate on their own than presume they know something that could be important to them.

[amedia.livejournal.com]

The first response I read from the president of the college sounded like his usual doublespeak, but later items that I've read from more trustworthy individuals (e.g. the chaplain) were more reassuring. I was glad to see, though, that SU is going to do some more investigating. It is a staggering coincidence, and a very sad one.

[amazonsun.livejournal.com]

From left field...

I remembered where my sister lives. Towanda, PA 18848. Do you know where that is? In relation to anything else?