TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Florida Department of Health (DOH) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today released their initial findings regarding The Acreage Cancer Review. DOH conducted a Level I cancer cluster investigation and DEP conducted extensive drinking water sampling within the community.

    DOH’s Level I investigation was conducted to determine if there is evidence of higher than expected rates of cancer in The Acreage community from 1995-2007. The Level I investigation involved the review of information surrounding the cases, the geographic area in question and the cancer types involved. DOH sent its findings to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which endorsed the report as “thorough and scientific.”

    The incidence of pediatric brain cancer was specifically looked at, and six cases were found during the period from 1997-2007. The report also cites total cancer rates in The Acreage may be elevated. Cancer rates have been increasing from 2000-2007, although the increases may be a reflection of dated population numbers.

    “We recognize this is a difficult time for residents of the Acreage,” State Surgeon General Ana M. Viamonte Ros, M.D., M.P.H., said. “We will proceed with a Level II analysis to ensure we have the most complete and accurate information for the community.”

    DOH has determined a Level II cancer cluster investigation will begin promptly. The Level II analysis will be conducted to:

• recalculate cancer rates using more recent population estimates;
• verify if any particular brain cancer is more common than expected; and
• describe the residence history and other risk factors of pediatric brain cancer cases through interviews.

    Understanding the community’s concerns regarding possible drinking water contamination and serving as a partner to the DOH, DEP sampled 50 drinking water wells in a 36 square mile area within the community and took one well sample from the Seminole Improvement District water treatment plant to determine if contamination is present in groundwater. DEP’s preliminary findings show all residential wells meet drinking water standards. However, a raw water sample – meaning before the treatment process takes place – from one of the five water supply wells at the Seminole Improvement District water treatment plant did show a minor exceedance for radium 226.

    In an abundance of caution due to the minor exceedance, DEP this week conducted additional water quality sampling. When initial sampling took place, DEP only sampled one of the supply wells at the Seminole Improvement District water treatment plant. This week, DEP sampled all five wells that supply water to the treatment plant as well as the finished treated water before distribution to customers, focusing on radium 226. The plant, which is in compliance with DEP’s regulatory requirements, uses reverse osmosis which is a state of the art filtering water treatment technology. DEP does not expect to see an exceedance of radium 226 in the post treatment water sample.

    Radium is a naturally-occurring radioactive metal, which occurs at low levels in virtually all rock, soil, water, plants, and animals. Radiologicals that occur in groundwater above federal and state standards can be easily treated.

    “DEP is committed to conducting a thorough evaluation of the drinking water samples collected,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “Recognizing the importance of the samples to the community’s peace of mind, DEP is having the sample that showed a minor exceedance for radium 226 reanalyzed and has increased the number of samples taken in the area. We want to make sure that the information we provide the public is accurate and complete.”

    While the current timetable to release DEP’s preliminary results could change depending on the results of the new testing, DEP still anticipates having a complete report by late September.

    For more information about DEP’s drinking water sampling within The Acreage visit www.dep.state.fl.us/southeast/acreage/default.htm

    DOH promotes, protects and improves the health of all people in Florida. For more information, visit www.doh.state.fl.us.

The Acreage Cancer Review Report is posted in its entirety at www.pbchd.com 

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