Enviro Health Narrative SAMPLE

8/3/2019 Enviro Health Narrative SAMPLE

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(EHELP)

Environmental Health Exposure

Life Profile

SAMPLE

November 11, 2011

by David Lincoln


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SUMMARY

Client is a 59 year old white female with a recent history of radiation cancer treatments. This

followed a diagnosis of both thyroid and breast cancers. She was fortunate to have spent her timein the womb and throughout her first year of life in rural areas of Oklahoma and Oregon. These

residences are far from the nearest known pollution sites and should incline her to strong healthy

development.

Unfortunately, during her early childhood she moved to the edge of a petrochemical complex

and was within the shadow of a particularly dirty oil refinery until she was eight years old. This

almost certainly exposed her to levels of Benzene above current permissible limits for workers.

Chronic Benzene poisoning is known to be linked to several forms of leukemia and the

probability is associated with the time weighted average period of exposure and length of time

that exposure continued.

Remarkably, she then moved to within 5 miles of the nations first nuclear test and rocket engine

testing facility. Partial meltdowns during her residence in at least 4 out of the 10 experimental

reactors probably exposed her to dangerous levels of ionizing radiation before she was 18. This

was especially true since these small reactors at Rocket Dyne had no containment vessels to

prevent escape of nuclear particles including plutonium and radioactive iodine isotopes.

Radioactive Iodine 131 has now been found in milk and tap water from the period in California

at very low levels. The fact that her father worked at this facility during this timeframe exposed

her to additional risks of contamination.

Additionally she was likely subjected to water wells contaminated with hydrazine rocket fuel and

trichloroethylene (TCE) cleaning solvent. Today, thousands of gallons of TCE and other

chemicals remain in the sites soil and groundwater. TCE causes everything from liver cancer to

leukemia. Another chemical used in the engine tests called perchlorate disrupts thyroid function

in even tiny concentrations, and its been found in multiple wells near the site.

The subject then moved on to San Jose, Calif. in her twenties for six years. Based on the distance

to nearest pollution sites, there should be few health concerns at this location.

For the next 15 years she lived near the heart of Silicon Valley in Mountain View Calif. At the

present time there are some local problems with water pollution from these high tech industries.However, during the eighties, the companies (like Intel) were closely monitored for

environmental stewardship and it is unlikely that pollution would have migrated more than a few

hundred yards from the sites at that time.

The client states that she worked as a Coach Bus Operator in Santa Clara County during this

period. This would have exposed her to exhaust fumes including hydrocarbons, particulate


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matter, nitrous oxides, sulfur compounds etc. Prolonged exposure to diesel and gasoline exhausts

increases the risks of developing lung cancer, asthma and other respiratory diseases. Recent

research indicates that inhaling these fumes increases brain activity indicative of stress.

The client recalls helicopters and the dumping of Malathion insecticide on the population in the

area. This pesticide has been restricted due to its endocrine disruption effects on pregnantmothers and children, but it is not considered to be carcinogenic. Based on human testing, no

lasting health effects would be expected from single ground level exposure.

From 1995 to 2004, the subject lived in Monterey Calif. where there are few pollution sources.

Research has revealed that the she may have been subjected to a controlled burn at the nearby

Fort Ord Army artillery range. This could have exposed her to particles of explosives and

munitions (including lead). Since the wind direction was primarily offshore for most of the two-

day burn, exposure would be expected to be minimal.

Client currently lives in Mountain Home Arkansas where she has lived for the past 7 years.While there is some phthalate (plasticizer) pollution in the air, it has been decreasing. Only

women who are pregnant or who desire to become pregnant should be concerned with this past

pollution.

Baxter County does have a very high mortality rate for leukemia and ovarian cancer. It also has

elevated death rates for all malignant cancers combined and lung cancer, colon and rectum

cancer, for white females, and a decreased risk of breast cancer compared with all counties in the

US. These high disease rates may be explained by the presence of major polluting industries in

the region.

Although the next nearest Toxic Release sites are quite distant, these polluting boat building

plants have emitted hundreds of thousands of pounds of styrene into the air each year. Care

should be taken when driving or parking near these facilities not to inhale dangerous amounts of

this chemical recently classified Reasonably Anticipated to be a Carcinogen.

Additional factors which the client may wish to consider are ingestion of heavy metals. Mercury

vapors are given off by silver fillings of dental amalgams. The number, condition and length of

time fillings were in place should influence whether action is needed.

Additionally, the amount and frequency of consumption of predatory fish like tuna, swordfish

and shark should be within FDA recommended guidelines to minimize mercury accumulation,

Finally, the use of imported vitamin supplements or herbs should be closely scrutinized to avoid

those sourced from India, Bangladesh or other areas known to have water and soils contaminated

with arsenic.


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Finally, each of the major toxic exposures (primarily Benzene and Radiation), should be

discussed thoroughly with a doctor in light of the subjects history. This history may weigh

heavily on course of treatment, prognosis, and future diagnosis of chronic diseases,

PRE-NATAL PERIOD-

BETHANY- OKLA

Satellite Image of Bethany OK and Toxic Release Sites

Bethany Oklahoma has no superfund sites within 10 miles. It has two Toxic Release sites

within five miles but the chemicals are commonly less than 1000 pounds/year. No adverse healtheffects would be anticipated. Between 2004 and 2009 the death rate for all cancers in the area

was extremely low compared to all US counties.

YEAR 1SWEETHOME - OREGON


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Satellite Image of Sweethome OR and Toxic Release Sites

From 1952 to 1953 she was raised as an infant in Sweethome, OR. This area has several pulp

and paper mills within 10 miles. The mills emit more than 100,000 pounds of methanol per year.

Methanol does not cause cancer and can be tolerated up to 200 ppm. It is not likely to be a

contributor to chronic diseases. Neither superfund sites produced during this period. However,

the county does currently have an elevated death rate for all cancers combined and very high

mortality from ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, brain cancer and other nervous system cancers

in white females. Therefore it is likely that the paper mills were emitting other pollution that they

did not report.


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Brain Cancer Death Rate White Female

Sweethome Oregon Superfund Sites


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All Malignant Cancers White Female

Sweethome Oregon Toxic Release Sites


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AGE 2-8

NORWALK - CALIF

From 1953 to 1960 she was in Norwalk, California. During this period she and her family lived

within 500 yards of an oil refinery. The Powerine Refinery (later Cenco owned by PatRobertson) was reportedly one of the dirtiest in the country .

Image of Walker House in Norwalk CA

The Waste Disposal Inc. (WDI) Superfund site (located about 5 miles to the North) was used for

disposal of a variety of industrial wastes. Documentation on disposal was sporadic, but

investigations have shown that drilling muds, sludges, tank bottoms, various industrial wastes,

and construction debris and other solid wastes were disposed at WDI until it was closed in 1964.

For the WDI site, the highest risks are posed by arsenic, thallium, benzene, pesticides, PCBs, and

vinyl chloride. Although contamination has reached the water just 20 ft. below the site, the

chemicals do not appear to have migrated more than a few hundred feet away from the originallocation.


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Image of Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs, CA and Industrial Complex with Superfund Site

Location of Powerine Oil Refinery


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Satellite Image of Powerine Refinery in Relation to Walker House

Photo Image of Walker House in May 1994


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Measurement of Distance from Walker House to Refinery

In 2000, the company paid a one million fine for illegal storage of hazardous wastes a practice

which had been used for decades. According to Senate Testimony by Carlos J. Porras Executive

Director of Communities for a Better Environment:

Powerine was identified by the South Coast Air Quality Management District("SCAQMD" or "Air District") as having the worst record for air quality violations andpublic complaints of any refinery in the South Coast Air Basin. The SCAQMDlevied hundreds of thousands of dollars of fines on Powerine for variousviolations of the Health and Safety code, including criminal violations, andnumerous toxic chemical releases that have endangered the health and safety ofarea workers and residents. The Santa Fe springs Fire Department Chief has statedthat "The Powerine Refinery generates and abnormally high number of releases [of toxicgases]."

Powerine is among a small handful of refineries in the state still using the deadlychemical hydrofluoric acid (HF), which was used as a chemical warfare weapon duringWorld War One. A May 1989 Los Angeles Times article revealed that Powerine was notadequately equipped to handle a major HF leak. An accidental release of HF fromPowerine could kill hundreds, or even thousands, of area workers and residents.

In addition to accidental releases, Powerine was responsible for significantongoing emissions, including releases of such highly toxic and/or carcinogenic


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chemicals as lead, mercury, benzene, cadmium, xylene, toluene, and a long list ofother toxic chemicals. Indeed, despite Powerine's classification as a "small" refinery, itposes almost twice as great a cancer risk to the surrounding community than doesthe Chevron Richmond refinery, one of the largest refineries in the nation, with athroughput approximately five times larger than Powerine's.

Powerine was also responsible for dumping massive quantities (over 400,000 tons) of"criteria" pollutants into the air each year, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides(SOx), particulate matter (PM-10), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). NOx andVOCs form ozone, which is known to cause permanent lung scarring, asthma andemphysema, among other problems. PM-10 has been labeled one of the most seriouspublic health threats, causing respiratory illnesses such as asthma and emphysema, andcan carry cancer-causing chemicals deep into the lungs. VOCs are not only ozone-precursors, but many are also highly toxic chemicals in their own right. Despite its small"size, Powerine was ranked the ninth worst emitter of PM-10 in the entire four-countySouth Coast Air District, and among the top twenty worst for VOCs and SOx. For 1991and 1992, Powerine was the 12th worst overall polluter in the basin. Air samplestaken downwind from Powerine reveal elevated levels of air contaminants.

I was the President of that union for several years, during which time employees voicedconcern over unidentified noxious odors, accidental fires, ominous clouds, andpaint eroding from cars parked near the refinery. These concerns, coupled with thecancer-related deaths of several yard employees prompted the EmployeesAssociation to take action to protect the health and safety of yard employees threatenedby the Powerine facility.

The story of the Powerine Refinery points out the importance of the Clean Air Act. It wasyears of inadequate enforcement of the Act and repeated violations of the Act thatresulted in Powerine's long line of accidents and releases, and ultimately to the closureof the facility. If the South Coast Air District and EPA had aggressively enforced the

requirements of the Act, Powerine could have been made to run cleaner, more safely,and possibly more profitably.

At her residence, it is probable that she was exposed to benzene emissions (common at

refineries) now considered to be above permissible limits for workers. The legal limit at that time

for workers was 35 to 25ppm for an 8hr time weighted average, but is currently just 1ppm. This

means that for brief periods the emissions could have been much larger (both legally and

illegally) and she was exposed 24 hrs. per day for eight years. Benzene toxicity may present as

an acute illness or as a chronic disease. There is a latency period associated with the effects of

benzene exposure for workers ranging from 7 to 40 years from the first exposure for the

effects to begin to show.

Benzene is a known human carcinogen. Long-term exposure can cause leukemia especially

acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and chronic

myelogenous leukemia (CML). Benzene exposure has also been linked to non-Hodgkin's

lymphoma, aplastic anemia, and myelodysplastic syndromes. While there could be a cancer


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cluster around the refinery the overall Death rate for leukemia in Los Angeles County is

low (shown by the map below).

Map of Norwalk TRI/Superfund & Leukemia White Female

(Green Indicates Low Leukemia Rate for the County)

Excessive exposure to benzene can be harmful to the immune system, increasing the chance

for infection and perhaps lowering the body's defense against cancer.

Map of Calif. All Cancer Incidence Rate by County


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The map above shows a high incidence of all cancers combined in Los Angeles County. The

county is also notorious for its high levels of smog and air pollution

Los Angeles Air Pollution with Norwalk Area Sources in Relation to Walker House

The image above shows the high level of air pollution in the area and the numerous polluting

sources. At one time an adjacent community in Cerritos was said by the EPA to have the highest

cancer risk in the nation from air pollution.


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TEENS

CANOGA PARK - CALIF

AGE 8 T0 18

From 1960 to1970 she lived in the Canoga Park and Woodland Hills, CA communities less

than 5 miles from the Santa Susanna Field Laboratory. This 2500 acre facility (shown on the

upper left of image below) where her father worked as a scientist was then called the RocketDyne Rocket Engine and Atomic testing center.

Satellite Image of Rocket Dyne in Relation to Canoga Park Residence and Toxic Release Sites


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Map of Rocket Dyne Facility and Surrounding Communities

Photo of Woodland Hills Residence in 1989 with Toxic Release Sites


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Image of Rocket Dyne and Toxic Release Sites with Walker Residences

The previous year, the first commercial nuclear power plant in the United States with the largesthot lab in the country (where irradiated nuclear fuel was remotely sliced) suffered a partialmeltdown at this location. , This nuclear meltdown that has been named "the worst in U.S.

history", releasing an undisclosed amount of radiation, but thought to be hundreds of times

more than the Three Mile Island disaster in 1979.

Photo of Santa Susanna Field Laboratory [Rocket Dyne]

(Looking Towards Walker Residences)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SSFL_Aerial_2005.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SSFL_Aerial_2005.jpg


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At least four of the ten nuclear reactors suffered accidents during this period. The AE6

reactor experienced a release offission gasesin March 1959, the SRE experienced apowerexcursionand partialmeltdownin July 1959; the SNAP8ER in 1964 experienced damage to 80%

of its fuel; and the SNAP8DR in 1969 experienced similar damage to one-third of its fuel .[24]

The reactors located on the grounds of SSFL were considered experimental, and therefore hadnocontainment structures. Reactors and highly radioactive components were housed without

the large concrete domes that surround modernpower reactors.

James Palmer, A former worker at the site reported that 22 men on his 27 man crew died of

cancer.

: "They had seven wells up there,water wells, and every damn one of them was

contaminated," Palmer said, "It was a horror story."

Workers would dispose of barrels filled with highly toxic waste by shooting the

barrels with rifles so that they would explode and release their contents into the air

An oversight panel worker study, released in 1999, found SSFL worker exposure to

radiation appears to have increased the risk of dying from lung cancer, cancers of the

blood and lymph system, and cancers of the upper-digestive-tract (including cancers of the

oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, and stomach). The second part of the worker study

observed positive associations between occupational exposure to hydrazine (and/or other

chemicals associated with rocket-engine testing) and the rates of dying from cancers of the

lung, the blood and lymph system, and bladder and kidney.

An advisory panel later concluded that contamination at the facility resulted in between 30

and 1,800 cancer deaths (the average estimate was 300 deaths). The report also concludedthat the SRE meltdown caused the release of more than 458 times the amount of radiation

released by the Three Mile Island accident.

Former employees of the Rocket Dyne Laboratory and their families have been stricken

with various cancers at higher than normal rates. In February 2004, the Los Angeles Times

reported that experts had testified that 120 area residents (the plaintiffs in a six year lawsuit)

were exposed by inhalation to a number of hazardous substances, including hexavalent

chromium, radionuclides, trichloroethylene and a toxic chemical cloud containing

multiple human carcinogens that caused at least 83 plaintiffs to contract cancer . The

experts concluded that theplaintiffs exposure to hazardous substances released from Rocket

Dynesfacilities in reasonable medical probability, was a substantial factor in contributing to

the risk of developing their injuries or cancer. These results confirm a study by the state health

department in 1991 that detected an elevated rate of bladder cancers in areas within five

miles of the Rocket Dyne facility.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fission_producthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fission_producthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fission_producthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticality_accidenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticality_accidenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticality_accidenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticality_accidenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_meltdownhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_meltdownhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_meltdownhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Susana_Field_Laboratory#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Susana_Field_Laboratory#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Susana_Field_Laboratory#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Containment_buildinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Containment_buildinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Containment_buildinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power_planthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power_planthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power_planthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_wellhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_wellhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_wellhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxic_wastehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meltdownhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Mile_Island_accidenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Mile_Island_accidenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meltdownhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxic_wastehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_wellhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power_planthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Containment_buildinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Susana_Field_Laboratory#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_meltdownhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticality_accidenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticality_accidenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fission_product


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Exposure to radiation is a proven risk factor for thyroid cancer. However, no one knows for

sure the exact causes of thyroid cancer. Doctors can seldom explain why one person gets

this disease and another does not.

Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop

thyroid cancer. The relevant risk factors for the subject are

1. A source of radiation is radioactive fallout. This includes fallout from atomic weapons

testing (such as the testing in the United States and elsewhere in the world, mainly in the

1950s and 1960s), nuclear power plant accidents (such as the Chernobyl [also called

Chernobyl] accident in 1986), and releases from atomic weapons production plants

(such as the Hanford facility in Washington state in the late 1940s). Such radioactive

fallout contains radioactive iodine (I-131). People who were exposed to one or more

sources of I-131, especially if they were children at the time of their exposure, may

have an increased risk for thyroid diseases.

2. Being female. In the United States, women are two to three times more likely than men

to develop thyroid cancer.

3. Age. Most patients with thyroid cancer are more than 40 years old. People with

anaplastic thyroid cancer are usually more than 65 years old.

4. Race. In the United States, white people are more likely than African Americans to be

diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

5. Perchloratea chemical found in rocket fuel and measured in 18 water wells in the Simi

Valley at levels of 20 parts per billion( 4 ppb is the safe limit). The well water was mixed

with surface water in the citys water supply. Perchlorate causes impaired thyroid

function. It affects metabolism, hormone levels, growth and organ development.Exposure to perchlorate can be most dangerous for children and pregnant women. It is

easily transferable to infants through breast milk. Continuous exposure to perchlorate

could also lead to a higher risk of thyroid cancer.

A radiation and chemical cause for Thyroid Cancer in the subject should be closely monitored.


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TWENTIES-

SAN JOSE -CALIF

AGE 22 to 28

Satellite Image of San Jose CA with Superfund and Toxic Release Inventory Sites

From 1974-1980, the subject lived and worked in San Jose CA. This area has numerous toxic

release inventory sites, but generally they are commonly low emissions under ten thousand

pounds per year. One drum recycling plant (Lorentz) about 3 miles away received over 2 million

barrels of liquid waste between 1968 and 1987 until it was shut down for health and safety

violations. The plant area was small (5 acres) and pollution was mainly confined to the local

creek. The area currently has a very low death rate for all malignant cancers combined as well as

COPD for white females.


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San Jose with Pollution Sites Overlain with

Death Rate for All Malignant Cancers in White Females


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THIRTY SOMETHING-

MTN VIEW -CALIF

AGE 28 to 43

Image of Mtn. View, CA with Toxic Release Sites

From 1980 to 1995, she lived in Mountain View CA and worked as a Coach Bus Operator. This

region of Santa Clara has numerous toxic release inventory sites but those within 3 miles arecommonly low emissions under one thousand pounds per year.

One Superfund site (Jasco Chemical) is within one mile of the town. JASCO repackaged and

formulated chemical products on the 2.05 acre Villa Street site from 1976 until December 1995.

Bulk solvents used at the site were received by tankers and stored in eight underground storage

tanks. Prior to 1985, Tank #3 was used to store pentachlorophenol (PCP), which was an

ingredient of a wood preservative formerly produced by Jasco. The product was discontinued in

1985, and the tank was converted to store paint thinner. Elevated levels of volatile organic

compounds (VOCs) were detected in soils from a swale area located behind the building and in

the shallow groundwater. Past waste disposal practices, and possibly leakage from anunderground storage tank and surface water, may have contributed to soil and groundwater

contamination. The City of Mountain View has a total population of approximately 62,000. The

only surface water body within one mile is Permanente Creek. Approximately 330,000 people

within three miles of the site depend on groundwater for drinking water. In 1987, the City

of Mountain View shut down one well near the site to determine whether site activities would


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affect the well. In 1988, after the investigations revealed that contamination had not migrated

into the groundwater for this well, it was placed back into operation.

Due to its past history as a center for semiconductor manufacturing, Mountain View has seven

sites on the Environmental Protection Agency's Final National Priorities List (NPL), a list of

hazardous waste sites in the United States eligible for long-term remedial action financed underthe federal Superfund program. The sites were formerly used by companies including Fairchild

Semiconductor, Intel, Raytheon, and Teledyne.

Within two miles of the town were the Intel Corp site and two other Superfund sites in Silicon

Valley. The facility formerly manufactured semiconductors at this 2-acre property from 1968

until 1981. The Intel site is one of three Superfund or National Priorities List (NPL) sites that are

being cleaned up simultaneously. The other two Superfund sites are the Fairchild Semiconductor

Corp. (Mountain View Plant) site and Raytheon site. Site investigations at several of these

facilities during 1981 and 1982 revealed significant soil and groundwater contamination by toxic

chemicals, primarily volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Subject recalls that helicopters dropped Malathion pesticide between 1991 and 1995. In

jurisdictions which spray malathion for pest control, it is often recommended to keep windows

closed and air conditioners turned off while spraying is taking place, in an attempt to minimize

entry of malathion into the closed environment of residential homes. Malathion breaks down

into Malaoxon. In studies of the effects of long-term exposure to oral ingestion of malaoxon in

rats, malaoxon has been shown to be 61 times more toxic than malathion. In 2000, the

conclusion of the Scientific Advisory Panel was that there was still insufficient evidence to either

declare malathion as non-carcinogenic, or to declare it a carcinogen. It is a suspected endocrine

disruptor.

A Canadian study of mosquito fogging in 2004 concluded that single exposures to ground level

Ultra Low Volume spraying, done properly, is extremely unlikely to cause any serious acute

health effects and no long-term health effects. However, spraying experience in the U.S. has

shown that accidents happen, and occasionally the spraying will be conducted improperly.

Volunteers sprayed directly with Malathion for over a month showed no adverse health effects.

A 4 year study of spraying in the US in 9 states involving over 100 million people revealed that

45 people sought medical attention for Malathion poisoning and none showed lasting harmful

effects.

Subject would have been exposed to exhaust fumes as bus operator continuously driving the

streets and waiting in traffic. Gasoline and diesel exhaust and their combustion products contain

carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and sulfur, hydrocarbons and solid particles of respirable

(breathable) size. Among the hydrocarbons are formaldehyde, methane, benzene, phenol, 1-3-

butadiene, acrolein and a group of compounds known as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs),


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several of these hydrocarbons can cause cancer. The chemical compounds can also attach to the

solid particles and be carried into the lungs.

Recent studies indicate that older men and women long exposed to higher levels of traffic-related

particles and ozone had memory and reasoning problems that effectively added five years to their

mental age, university researchers in Boston reported this year. The emissions may also heightenthe risk of Alzheimer's disease and speed the effects of Parkinson's disease.

Researcher in the Netherlands have shown this year that breathing street-level fumes for just 30

minutes can intensify electrical activity in brain regions responsible for behavior, personality and

decision-making, changes that are suggestive of stress.

In addition to acute problems from breathing exhaust, fumes have been linked to Fatigue, blurred

vision, dizziness, weakness, slurred speech, confusion, seizures, convulsions, coma, death,

possible liver or kidney damage, and cancer (possible kidney cancer). Diesel exhaust is believed

to play a role in other health problems, such as eye irritation, headache, asthma and other lungdiseases (including lung cancer, heart disease, and possibly immune system problems.


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FORTIES-

MONTEREY -CALIF

AGE 43 to 52

Image of Monterey Calif. Showing Lack of Toxic Release Inventory Sites

From 1995 to 2004 subject resided in Monterey Calif. The county is mostly pristine with no

Toxic Release Sites within 10 miles and only one Superfund site at the former Fort Ord military

base. This 25,000 acre army artillery range was closed in 1994. The site contained leaking

petroleum underground storage tanks, a 150 acre landfill that was primarily used to dispose of

residential waste and small amounts of commercial waste generated by the base. Groundwater is

contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in various locations. One of the

contaminated groundwater plumes near the City of Marina has migrated off site.


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Map of Fort Ord Burn Site with Wind Rose During Burn Period

As part of the long-term base closure process of the former Fort Ord U.S. Army Base, the Army

has conducted a prescribed burn of several former firing ranges. These burns were conducted to

remove vegetation from the firing ranges, thus allowing subsequent cleanup of unexploded

munitions possibly left on the firing ranges. The burn was conducted between Oct 24-Oct 26,

2003 and some burn products were detected onsite and offsite.

Although the majority of analytical measurements were non-detections, several contaminants

were detected at both on-site and off-site locations including smoke and particulate matter (PM-

10).

Examples of compounds detected include nitrobenzene, n-nitrotoluene, nitroglycerin, n-

dinitrotoluene. Other potential contaminants of concern include particulate metals (such as

beryllium, chromium, cobalt, lead, mercury, zinc, and others) and dioxins and furans. These are

highly toxic and many are carcinogenic compounds. They report that only PM-10, aluminum,

and acrolein were found above their respective health comparison values at off-site locations.

However, the military bases have a long history of minimizing their environmental impacts and

have been known to even falsify their records. The subject would do well to review whether she

was present in the area when the black smoke was drifting over the community.


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FIFTIES-

MTN HOME, ARK

AGE 52-59

Image of Mtn. Home AR with Toxic Release Sites in Relation to Walker Residence

Subject currently resides in Mountain Home Arkansas and has lived theresince 2004. There

are no Superfund Sites in the area but there are four Toxic Release Inventory sites within two

miles of the residence These chemical release sites have been gradually decreasing their air

emissions but each still release more than 1000 pounds/yr. of phthalates. The worst is Epoxyn

Products which emits over 4000 pounds of phthalic anhydride per year. This chemical is used in

the production of phthalate plasticizers and certain dyes, paints, lacquers and insect repellents.

Epoxyn Products in Mtn. Home manufactures laboratory equipment and supplies. Inhaling

phthalic anhydride can cause asthma-like allergies and can lead to bronchitis. It can also damage

the liver and kidneys. The occupational reference level set for workers is 20 parts per billion.


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Map of Mtn. Home AR Showing Toxic Release Sites

Baxter Labs and Eaton Corp in Mtn. Home AR manufacture medical supplies including rubber

and plastic hoses and plastic tubes and fittings. Diethyl Phthalate (DEP) is its primary emission

of concern... Exposure to DEP is suspected of contributing to premature development in young


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girls and ADHD in children.

Since the subject moved to Mtn. Home, Eaton have dramatically curtailed their releases of this

chemical from more than a thousand pounds per year to less than 10 pounds per year. Only

Women who are pregnant or who desire to become pregnant should be concerned with this past

pollution.


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Baxter Co Air Pollution Sources

Map of Baxter Counter AR with Toxic Release Sites

Overlain with Death Rate from Ovarian Cancer in White Females


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Air Pollution In Baxter County with Sources in Mtn. Home AR

Baxter County has a very high mortality rate for leukemia and ovarian cancer. It also has

elevated death rate for all malignant cancers combined and lung cancer, colon and rectum cancer,

for white females, and a decreased risk of breast cancer compared with all counties in the US.


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While the next nearest Toxic Release Inventory Sites are about 10 miles away, they are located

upwind on the edge of the county. These three polluting boat building companies have released

phenomenal amounts of styrene into the air. One factory released nearly 300,000 pounds of

styrene in 2006 and the other two averaged about 25,000 pounds each during that year.

MethylMethacylate (MMA) is also found in plastics, but it is a skin irritant which may cause

allergic reactions

In June 2011, the Dept. of Health and Human Services reclassified Styrene as Reasonably

Anticipated to be a Carcinogen. Doctors have warned that it has been linked to leukemia and


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lymphomas in animal testing. Although the levels of Styrene emitted in these boat building areas

are decreasing, they are still alarmingly high. They could be contributing to the overall Cancer

death rates in the region. Caution should be used when doing business or lingering in the vicinity

of these factories.

Map of Toxic Release Sites in Baxter County AR Overlain with

Death Rate for All Malignant Cancers for White Females

Additional factors which client may wish to consider are ingestion of heavy metals. Mercury

vapors are given off by silver fillings of dental amalgams. The number, condition and length of

time fillings were in place should influence whether action is needed.

Additionally, the amount and frequency of consumption of predatory fish like tuna, swordfish

and shark should be within FDA recommended guidelines to reduce mercury accumulation.

They advise women to avoid swordfish and shark and do not consume more than 6 oz. ofalbacore tuna per week. Other seafood like shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and

catfish can be eaten up to 12 oz. per week

The use of imported vitamin supplements or herbs should be closely scrutinized to avoid those

sourced from India, Bangladesh or other areas known to have water and soils contaminated with

arsenic.


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Finally, each of the major toxic exposures (primarily Benzene and Radiation), should be

discussed thoroughly with a doctor in light of the subjects history. This history may weigh

heavily on course of treatment, prognosis, and future diagnosis of chronic diseases,

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