Published in the Asbury Park Press
An Asbury Park Press editorial
A survey of 300 Dover Township homes to see if there's a link between airborne pollutants and an elevated level of childhood cancers in the area is being stymied by a lack of cooperation from homeowners. That's a shame because it's a harmless way to help scientists get answers to the puzzling cancer reports that have besmirched Toms River's image.
Researchers from Rutgers University's Environmental and Occupational Health Services Institute are collecting samples of attic dust and air in homes built before 1995, and with no recent attic or roof repair, in all areas of the township. A visit takes less than 30 minutes and involves only the attic. Yet, the surveyors still need 25 additional homes to help validate their work.
"Unless they get them, they can't go ahead with the analysis. And if they don't get them, all the money and time has been wasted because they can't just do a part of the township," said Linda L. Gillick, chairwoman of the Citizens Action Committee on Childhood Cancer Cluster.
It doesn't matter whether residents think the cancer reports are not caused by the environment but are just a statistical coincidence. Dismay about how the reports may be lowering property values should play no role. All the attic-air survey is gathering is data to see if there's an environmental link. Knowledge is power.
Dover homeowners should open their doors to allow the survey to conclude.
Source: Asbury Park Press
Published: September 14, 1999
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