Reservations About Health Study

I have serious reservations about the results of the health study that state and county officials conducted among residents living near the Operating Industries Inc. hazardous-waste site in Monterey Park.

I take issue with the fact that every house in the control area (Hacienda Heights) was contacted, while only every third house in the OII area was contacted. A community group, Homeowners to Eliminate Landfill Problems, had requested that every house in the OII area be included in the area, but in the end, officials stuck us with every third house because of so-called “money problems.” The results were diluted because of that decision. Is it any wonder that state and county departments of health services lack credibility?

Over three years ago, we found a cluster of cancer cases among longtime residents near the dump. A promised cancer study has not even been started. Instead, a cancer study was done on homes near the BKK Corp. landfill in West Covina. A bit ludicrous since families haven’t lived there long enough to develop cancer.

PHYLLIS RABINS

Monterey Park