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Inside the issue:
franklin Friday, Dec. 4, 2015 • TheFranklinNews.com
Holiday lighting celebration
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Seasonal depression
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Johnson County water safe
State officials determine no cancer cluster detected
By Megan Powell
megan.powell@franklincollege.edu
State health officials say Franklin College should not be concerned about an alleged cancer cluster in Johnson County. Recently, the Greenwood area tested its water systems and wells to detect a possible cancer cluster. According to the National Cancer Institute, a cancer cluster is when the expected number of cancer cases in an area is greater than expected. Reed Manufacturing, a former tomato canning plant in Franklin, was linked to the chemicals discovered in the soil and groundwater samples. On Nov. 17, the state opened a second investigation in Johnson County to look into the possibility of a cancer cluster weeks after reports of Henry County having the same issue. At the beginning of November, state investigators found three people in Henry County were diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. According to a WTHR report, the disease only affects one to three people per 100,000 nationwide. At least 20 children in Johnson County have been diagnosed with cancer, living just blocks away from each other. County residents gathered late Monday at Franklin Community High School with questions and concerns. Sophomore Claire Meade’s brother was diagnosed with cancer in 2010. “I want no family to go through what we went through, and I want no family to have to hear that a family member has cancer,” Meade said.
Meade lives in Franklin and attended Monday’s forum. “As a college student, I just want people to know that there is a problem here,” she said. “Hopefully with lots of research and all of these families speaking up ... we will get this figured out.” Three organizations who manage the state’s water – the Indiana State Department of Health, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and American Family Water – assured the crowd of about 100 that the water is safe to drink. Jennifer Walthall, who works as the deputy commissioner and director for health outcomes for the state health department, said there is not a cancer cluster in the county. In addition to her roles in state government, Walthall is also the division chief for pediatric emergency medicine at Riley Hospital for Children. Walthall said that although she can’t explain why the children were diagnosed with cancer, she is certain of the investigation’s conclusion. “There is not a pediatric cancer cluster in Johnson County,” Walthall said. “There is no known link between drinking water and any of the cancers that have been reported.” Over the past 14 years, there have been 111 cancer cases diagnosed in people younger than 20 in Johnson County. According to an Indianapolis Star report, that puts the county at a rate of 19.6 cases per 100,000 people. The pediatric cancer rate in the state is 19.8.
Megan Powell: The Franklin Tim Johnson and Christina Gosnell address questions about Johnson County’s water supply at Monday’s forum. Several parents out of the about 100 people in attendance had sick children at Riley Hospital for Children. Walthall said these cases are in no way linked to well or tap water, the area flood in 2008 or any other environment-related issue. The expected cases of childhood cancer for the population size of Johnson County is 107. The investigation determined the extra four reports are not significant
enough to determine a cancer cluster. Mary Hollingsworth, drinking water branch chief for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, also said the county’s water is safe. “The water has been, and is, safe to drink,” Hollingsworth said.