Higher Rates of Cancer Found among Residents Who Lived near Rubber Factory

By Daniel Hawn

Published on September 16, 2006

The study was undertaken after a Hamilton resident who lived near the former Mercer Rubber plant expressed concern over the incidence of cancer in the neighborhood.

The rubber factory in question operated between 1866 and 1993 and often used benzene, acrylonitrile, and other contaminants known to cause diseases like leukemia and bladder cancer, according to the study. One of the study’s researchers, Tariq Ahmed, said the plant’s former employees told state officials that the factory was responsible for releasing contaminants into the surrounding area during its operation.

The study compared statewide cancer rates to rates among 11,000 residents who lived near the plant from 1979 until 2003. Researchers found a total of 1,141 cases of cancer among the residents. The rates of bladder and brain cancer were found to be significantly higher than normal. The study also showed a slightly elevated incidence of leukemia among the study's participants.

Ahmed said that the residents could have been exposed to contaminants through incidental ingestion of shallow groundwater or water from a creek nearby the factory. As a result, the state plans to have groundwater and soil near the site tested for contaminants.

The community relations office at the state Department of Environmental Protection said that results from the tests will be available by November.

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