$500,000 more sought for cancer probe

Thursday, May 17, 2001 | 10:46 a.m.

Nevada officials have asked Gov. Kenny Guinn for an additional $500,000 to investigate the cause of 14 reported cases of childhood leukemia in Fallon.

State officials also are meeting today with federal health investigators in Washington, D.C., to discuss the situation.

State health officials in about a month expect to have a plan to intensify the ongoing investigation of 13 reported cases of acute lymphocytic leukemia and one case of acute myeloid leukemia, state epidemiologist Dr. Randy Todd said.

Nevada officials and representatives with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta last month met with families in Fallon, 60 miles east of Reno. The CDC and the state are accelerate the research schedule and plan to expand the probe this summer.

The $500,000 requested by the state Health Division would fund further environmental and patient testing, community education and public information efforts, Todd said.

The state has spent $100,000 to test wells, provide family counseling services and conduct the initial investigation, he said.

"We have not been hampered in any way because of a lack of money," Todd said.

Assemblywoman Marcia de Braga, D-Fallon, has asked the Legislature for up to $1 million for the state investigation.

Contaminated water may not be to blame, researchers say.

"There is some emerging evidence that water is not a pathway for whatever is causing the leukemias," Todd said.

Although the analysis of all private wells used by about half the families affected by leukemia has not been completed, there is no indication that jet fuel, known as JP-8 and used at Fallon Naval Air Station, is in the ground water, Todd said.

The CDC and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry are preparing to sample air, soil and even dust, Todd said.

The jet fuel, possible radioactive contamination, pesticides and viruses are all being investigated in the search for a possible link, he said.

Guinn's Chief of Staff, Marybel Batjer, said she plans to meet with federal health officials and Nevada's congressional delegation today.

State Health Officer Dr. Mary Guinan and Batjer plan to talk to Bush administration officials and Nevada's congressional delegation in an attempt to garner additional federal support toward expanding the investigation, Batjer said.

The governor has supported the state's efforts in the Nevada Legislature for "some type of appropriation," which would become available July 1, Batjer said.