New leukemia case hits Fallon

Monday, April 30, 2001 | 10:01 a.m.

For more information about the childhood leukemias in Fallon call the Nevada State Health Division's toll-free number: (888) 608-4623. The Web site is: health2k.state.nv.us

A 13th case of childhood leukemia confirmed on Friday by state health officials has heightened Nevada experts' resolve to find the cause of the cluster in the farming and Navy town of Fallon in Northern Nevada.

State epidemiologist Dr. Randy Todd said the latest victim of acute lymphocytic leukemia, or ALL, is a 3-year-old girl born in Fallon while her father was stationed at Fallon Naval Air Station.

The family has been asked for an extensive interview as part of the investigation, Todd said.

The family moved out of state last summer, and the father is no longer with the Navy, Todd said.

State health officials have teamed with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to investigate all possible environmental triggers for the leukemias, Todd said. CDC and the toxic substances agency officials visited Fallon last week to conduct a preliminary survey.

Chemotherapy on the latest leukemia patient began this week, Fallon Naval Air Station spokeswoman Anne McMillan said.

"It's not good news, but it is not unexpected at this time," McMillan said.

The Navy is cooperating with state and federal efforts to investigate the cancer cluster in children ranging in age from 3 to 19 years old.

The family contacted the Navy about the girl's leukemia, and Todd confirmed the diagnosis on Friday as part of the Fallon cluster.

Assemblywoman Marcia de Braga, D-Fallon, said the latest case hardened her resolve to pursue every available avenue for funding, not only to help the victims but to assist investigators looking for a cause of the cluster. She has asked the Legislature for $1 million in state funds.

Experts are trying to rule out possible pathways such as air and water that could spread the disease. Speculation on many potential sources has been discussed in the community, 60 miles east of Reno.

Possible sources under investigation are jet fuel spills, viruses brought in by new residents or in floods, high levels of naturally occurring arsenic or radiation in the drinking water and pesticides and insecticides used on farms.

The leukemia rate in Churchill County where Fallon is located is far higher than expected. About three in every 100,000 people would be expected, making the Fallon cluster more than 420 times higher than normal.

Scientists suspect radiation exposures, electromagnetic fields or volatile organic compounds such as benzene, solvents and fossil fuels, could trigger childhood leukemias. Arsenic has not been linked to ALL, although the contaminant is twice as high as the current limit in Fallon's water.