Why Are Cape Cancer Rates So High?
Silent Spring Is Expanding Its Search

For Silent Spring Institute, the widening search continues.

Founded in 1993 with a mission that included discovering if environmental degradation was behind the increased rates of breast cancer on Cape Cod, representatives of the Newton-based organization made their annual report to the public and local activists in Hyannis November 19.

The luncheon event was hosted by Barnstable Town Manager John Klimm, who, as a state representative, was responsible for the funding legislation that helped Silent Spring get its start. He was recognized for this achievement by Cheryl Osimo of Barnstable, a co-founder of the Institute and its Cape Cod representative.

The report from two Silent Spring researchers—Doctors Laurel Schaider, a staff scientist, and Postdoctoral Research Fellow Robin E. Dodson—was newsworthy…and not.

The news: Silent Spring, which has been conducting studies of cancer-causing elements in the Cape’s groundwater, has now expanded its research into public wells in six Cape towns.

The consensus answer: “We are still looking for answers. More hard work and research are required.”

As Dr. Schaider elaborated, “There are still large gaps in our understanding. Samples (from the wells) have been collected but we have no results as yet.”

In other words, although contaminents have been found, the actual links have yet to be determined.

But why is the Cape so vulnerable? That, she explained, can be blamed on the fact that our fresh-water aquifer is so close to the surface, on the porous nature of the soil that does not allow for enough natural cleansing, on the use of septic tanks in up to 85 percent of all dwellings and on increased development.

However, despite financial constraints due to the state’s current fiscal crisis, the search continues with Ms. Osimo, herself a cancer survivor, sounding the keynote: “The real cure is prevention.”

And, in the meantime, Silent Spring has prepared a list of preventive measure everyday citizens can start to take in their homes to minimize the risks.

20 Actions You Can Take To Reduce Risk At Home

Your home may be hazardous to your body.

 Americans spend an estimated 90 percent of their time indoors, which tends to be three to 10 times more toxic than outdoor environments. The many chemicals in building materials and household products coupled with limited ventilation and slow chemical degradation indoors—away from sun, water, and temperature extremes—mean that indoor chemical concentrations are higher than outdoor levels.

The following steps can reduce your personal exposure at home:

1. No smoking in the house;
2. Control household pests without resorting to pesticides. Seal the holes through which pests enter your home and control them by using borax or sticky traps that do not contain even plant-based pesticides such as rotenone. Mint and lavender can ward off mice. Red chili powder, paprika, dried peppermint, peppermint essential oil, powdered soap, or borax are effective deterrants where ants enter the home;
3. Ventilate your home to improve indoor air quality. Open windows periodically, vent gas stove, broiler, grill, or fireplace to the outdoors, and avoid using wood-burning fireplaces and stoves;
4. Choose building materials and cleaning products labeled “No VOCs” or “Low VOCs.”Volatile Organic Compounds, major sources of air pollution, both indoors and out, are found in many building materials and products. Many are known to cause cancer in animals, while some are suspected of causing—or are known to cause—cancer in humans. Do not sand wood floors treated in the 1950s or 1960s with a finish that may be an ongoing source of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls. PCBs are endocrine disrupting compounds that affect thyroid hormone and the developing brain and are associated with breast cancer;
5. Select home furnishings and clothing made from natural fibers. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, are flame retardants used in many commercial products. They are also endocrine disruptors. Natural fibers like wool, cotton, and hemp are naturally flame retardant. Decline certain stain-resistant treatments of furnishings and fabrics. Avoid furniture made from pressed wood or particleboard, which releases the irritant formaldehyde. Avoid wall-to-wall carpeting that tends to collect carcinogens and allergens. Use area rugs of natural materials that you can take outside to air and clean;
6. Dry clean without PERC (perchloroethylene). In selection and care of clothing, choose services that do not use PERC or request “wet cleaning.” Solvents such as PERC have been linked to various cancers. If you must use traditional dry, try  perchloroethylene (PCE) or tetrachloroethylene, a chemical solvent commonly used in dry;
7. Keep dust levels low. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and clean with microfiber cloths. Carpets can harbor pesticides, allergens and other chemicals. Cleaners with a strong suction, a brush on/off switch, and a multilayered bag for dust collection are the best in preventing dust from recycling into the air;
8. Avoid flame retardants and fabric coatings. Choose electronic equipment that does not contain PBDEs, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers. These endocrine disruptors are commercially produced flame retardants often added to polyurethane foam, various plastics, and electronics equipment;
9. Read labels and choose less toxic products. Choose natural or less toxic cleaning products that are fragrance-free.Baking soda and white vinegar are effective alternatives. Do not use toilet bowl deodorizers that contain paradichlorobenzene, the same carcinogen often found in mothballs. Nontoxic alternatives include lemon juice, borax, baking soda, and white vinegar;
10. Do not renovate while you are prgnant;
11. Go organic as much as possible;
12. Use a carbon block water filter on your kitchen faucet;
13. Choose plant-based ingrediants in personal care products;
14. Avoid “fragrance,” “phalated” and “parabens” in products Avoid phthalates in household furnishings. These plastic softeners are found in polyvinyl flooring, wall coverings, and shower curtains. That strong odor you smell when you open up a new vinyl shower curtain comes from phthalates. Choose untreated cloth curtains and curtain liners and natural flooring and wall covering options.Avoid artificial air fresheners and other scented products. “Scent” or “fragrance” as an ingredient often signifies the presence of phthalates. Opt for fragrance-free products whenever possible. Better yet, use fresh flowers and greens instead. Choose beeswax and organic rather than paraffin candles, and candles with cotton wicks rather than metal core wicks, which often contain lead;
15. Monitor what goes down the drains in your home. Never put cleaning solvents, pesticides, paint thinners, automobile oil, or gas down a drain And never, never flush medications down a toilet or drain. Pharmaceuticals—especially antibiotics and hormone replacement medications, such as estrogen—adversely affect the environment as water treatment facilities cannot filter out all the chemical compounds that medications may leave behind;
16. Avoid tracking pollutants into your home. They can be tracked in with dust and dirt on the bottom of your shoes;
17. Do not store gas-powered engines, gasoline, glues, paints or solvents in basement or attached garage, as the fumes may enter the house. If you must, open the space to the outdoor air, ventilate, and consider storing hazards in an airtight box. When you do use them, do so outside or in a well-ventilated area. Carefully follow manufacturers’ directions about using and storing hazardous chemicals. Limit your exposure to products containing methylene chloride, a probable human carcinogen found in paint strippers, adhesives, adhesive removers, fabric cleaners, furniture polish, wood sealant and stains, spray paints, adhesives, shoe polish, and art supplies;
18. Choose unbleached, chlorine-free paper products. Bleaching produces the carcinogen dioxin;
19. Use glass or ceramics rather than plastic in microwave or for storage and ventilate with a fan when cooking
20. Finally: Encourage positive action in your community and support breast cancer research that focuses on prevention.