Tri-Town Health Boards Demand Clarity on Cancer Study Findings

The Tri-Town Boards of Health, representing the communities of Lee, Lenox, and Stockbridge in Massachusetts, is seeking clarification from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) regarding a recent report indicating no elevated cancer rates among residents living along the Housatonic River. This inquiry follows the DPH’s September 12 release of a study examining cancer incidence patterns in five towns—Pittsfield, Great Barrington, Lenox, Lee, and Stockbridge—potentially linked to exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from General Electric Company’s operations between 1932 and 1977.

During a meeting on September 24, Tri-Town officials discussed three primary questions about the DPH report, which assessed whether PCB exposure contributed to higher cancer rates in the specified areas. The report’s findings, which have sparked controversy among local stakeholders, have been described as “vague” and perceived as an attempt to limit liability for GE and other involved agencies.

Robert Wespiser, a member of Tri-Town, expressed his concerns regarding the study, emphasizing that the summary indicated “there is no clear increase in cancer rates based on their data along the Housatonic River corridor in the cancers they looked at.” Wespiser intends to formally request answers from the state on the report’s methodology and data analysis, which he believes lacks transparency.

The DPH’s findings are set against the backdrop of a long history of PCB contamination in the Housatonic River, which has led to an ongoing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund cleanup project. This effort is detailed in a 2020 agreement outlining plans to dredge toxic materials from the river, ultimately transporting them to a newly proposed Upland Disposal Facility (UDF) in Lee.

In response to the DPH report, Tri-Town Chair Dr. Charles Kenny noted the importance of Wespiser’s review, stating that it is “a very important thing for the community to have a fair understanding of what’s being presented.” The meeting provided an opportunity for other members to raise additional questions regarding the DPH’s findings and methodology.

Despite Wespiser’s concerns, Dr. Elias Lefferman, another Tri-Town member, accepted the report’s conclusions, admitting that the results differed from his initial expectations. Wespiser, however, remains curious about the robustness of the study, particularly regarding the methods used and the lack of raw data for further analysis.

The Lee PCB Advisory Committee, established last year, has been tasked with advising town officials on issues related to the dredging and disposal of PCBs. Wespiser suggested that a future study employing modern techniques and digital data retrieval might better inform the community about health risks associated with PCB exposure.

He argued that the financial implications for GE, which is investing approximately $700 million in the remediation project, should warrant a more thorough epidemiological analysis. “If GE is spending that amount on building a facility filled with concentrated PCBs, it’s prudent to invest a fraction of that—like $7 million—to conduct a comprehensive study,” he stated.

The Tri-Town Boards of Health’s push for clarity reflects a broader concern for community health and safety. As local residents continue to grapple with the potential impacts of historical pollution, the quest for transparency and thorough analysis remains a priority for both officials and community members alike.