Editorial: Solving Fallon’s puzzle

Friday, April 13, 2001 | 3:31 a.m.

The bizarre leukemia outbreak that has afflicted 12 youngsters in the Northern Nevada town of Fallon is a grim occurrence that should alert the federal government to the need for quicker response and better tracking of cancer clusters. The field hearing that was conducted Thursday in that rural community by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee was a good start. But it was only the beginning of what should be an aggressive effort by Congress and appropriate federal agencies to find answers to concentrated outbreaks of cancer.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who conducted the hearing as the committee's ranking Democrat, and other members of Nevada's congressional delegation ought to be congratulated for helping to bring this issue to the attention of federal authorities. Plaudits also must be extended to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., another committee member who provided valuable input at the hearing. The committee investigation warrants full cooperation by all who live or do business in the Fallon area, including the Fallon Naval Air Station.

Rear Admiral R.J. Naughton told the committee that although he would cooperate it may be difficult to obtain certain military information, including health records of individuals who have worked at the base. The Navy must do all it can to obtain those records, particularly since questions have been raised about the possible link between leukemia and jet fuel spills or fuel-related emissions from its planes.

Two suggestions from Reid make sense and should be adopted. He believes all levels of government must establish uniform procedures to respond to cancer clusters and that a national registry be developed to enable authorities to keep tabs of concentrated outbreaks of cancer and other diseases. The Nevada Legislature can also do its part by approving a recommendation from Assemblywoman Marcia de Braga, D-Fallon, to appropriate $1 million in emergency funds to help with the investigation. The Assembly Ways and Means Committee approved $500,000 but we believe state lawmakers should double that financial commitment to meet her request.

We also urge Congress to provide additional funds to help solve Fallon's riddle because this is a national health issue as well as a local problem. Anything less would be a slap in the face to the children who have already suffered enough from a disease that destroys bone marrow.