Ohio Disease Clusters

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Disease clusters, particularly those involving serious health issues like cancer, have become a significant concern in many Ohio communities. These clusters, often linked to past industrial actions or environmental pollution, have left many families in a state of confusion and sadness. Despite state-led awareness efforts and some investigations, the federal government's support and action remain insufficient. This document examines the troubling health patterns in Ohio cities, focusing on the environmental causes and the federal government's responses—or lack thereof—that continue to impact these communities.

A disease cluster occurs when an unusual number of illnesses, such as cancer or birth defects, occur in a certain area and time. These clusters are sometimes linked to exposure to harmful chemicals or pollutants, although these links are often debated. Ohio drew attention in 2011 due to reports by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the National Disease Clusters Alliance. These groups pointed out several parts of the state where certain diseases appeared more frequently than normal, raising serious concerns about the impact of environmental pollution on health.

Identified Disease Clusters

Clyde: A small town in Ohio with a high number of childhood cancer cases.
Wellington: A town with a rate of multiple sclerosis that is 3 times higher than the national average.
Marion and Marysville: Both towns have reported more cases of Leukemia than expected.
Middletown: A town with an increased number of brain cancer cases.

The Clyde Cluster

Clyde, Ohio, is a small town where the people truly value community and family. Yet, it became the center of a baffling health issue that has both experts and residents searching for answers. Starting in the late 1990s and continuing into the 2000s, there was a concerning rise in childhood cancer cases. In 2009, the Ohio Department of Health called this a cancer cluster, as there were more cases of brain tumors, leukemia, and other childhood cancers than one would expect for such a small town with a population of about 6,000. This revelation shook those who hold family values and children's welfare close to heart. "It's devastating to see our children suffer like this," said a local resident. From 1996 to 2011, at least 37 children were diagnosed with cancer within a 12-mile radius of Clyde.

The Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency conducted extensive environmental testing in the area around Clyde to determine whether pollution or radiation in the environment was causing the rise in cancer cases. Even though they tested many things, including radiation from the nearby Davis-Besse nuclear plant, they did not find a clear cause.

In 2011, following the discovery of the Clyde cancer cluster and similar health concerns, a call for government support was made. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown cosponsored a bill called S.76, the Strengthening Protections for Children and Communities From Disease Clusters Act. This bill, if enacted, could have provided crucial federal assistance to places like Clyde, improving investigation processes, offering support to affected communities, and setting up guidelines to research possible environmental causes. However, despite being introduced 13 years ago, the bill has not been acted upon, leaving communities like Clyde without the support they desperately need.

The Wellington Cluster

Wellington, Ohio, is a small village recognized for its strong community bonds. However, it drew medical attention because of a surprisingly high number of multiple sclerosis (MS) cases. This disease impacts the brain and spinal cord, which was identified as a disease cluster, raising understandable worries among residents and attracting scientific investigation.

In the late 1990s, health officials noticed that people in Wellington were getting multiple sclerosis (MS) much more often than in other parts of the country. A study in 1998 found that people in Wellington were three times more likely to get MS than the national average. Because of this, Wellington was called a disease cluster area, which led to many investigations to find out why this was happening.

The Ohio Department of Health, in concert with local health offices, has been conducting a thorough investigation into the high number of multiple sclerosis (MS) cases in Wellington. Extensive environmental testing has been carried out to determine if there is any link between MS and chemicals from nearby factories. Special attention has been given to areas around an old foundry and manufacturing plants to ascertain if any harmful substances have been released.

As of 2024, the mystery of the high number of multiple sclerosis (MS) cases in Wellington remains unsolved. Despite extensive environmental testing and numerous investigations, no specific cause has been identified.

The Marion Cluster

Marion became a major area of concern for health investigators when it was found that leukemia cases were rising sharply. A study showed that deaths from leukemia rose by 122 percent between 1966 and 1995. This increase, particularly among former students of River Valley High School, was alarming due to its possible connection to toxic substances left behind by a World War II Army depot under the school.

There was concern about the depot, which had been a site for dumping dangerous materials like arsenic, benzene, and trichloroethylene, a chemical linked to leukemia. This issue underscores the importance of collective efforts in safeguarding communities and the need for a thorough investigation into past industrial activities to protect the health and future of our children.

After the health issue was discovered, the Ohio Department of Health and the Army Corps of Engineers launched a comprehensive investigation. They tested for harmful substances at the school site. By 2005, the Army Corps of Engineers initiated the cleanup of the area. They acknowledged the presence of contaminants but did not attribute these to the illnesses.

Due to the seriousness of the problem, River Valley's middle and high schools were relocated to a safer place. The federal government provided funding to help build a new school campus far from the polluted area. This relocation helped to relieve some of the worries among parents and residents. However, there are still many unanswered questions.

The Marysville Cluster

Marysville, Ohio, has been identified as one of the locations in the state where a concerning cluster of leukemia cases has emerged, necessitating a united response from both local communities and national health organizations.

While there is no clear information about what the Ohio Government or EPA has done about the disease cluster in Marysville, Ohio, the public must stay informed. Even though their actions don’t specifically mention Marysville, the Ohio EPA, and other agencies have worked on investigating different health concerns throughout Ohio, like cancer clusters. These efforts often involve checking the air and water in areas, as they have done in other towns in Ohio, which suggests how they might address similar issues in Marysville.

The Middletown Cluster

Middletown, Ohio, caught people's attention when it was discovered to have a surprisingly high number of brain cancer cases, which was part of a larger look into areas across the state with similar health issues.

In 2009, when a family expressed concerns about a loved one with brain cancer, the Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance System, part of the Ohio Department of Health, investigated how common brain cancer was in Middletown. Although NRDC and the National Disease Clusters Alliance listed Middletown as a city with disease clusters, the Ohio Department of Health concluded that Middletown did not meet their criteria for being a cancer cluster. They reported these findings in early 2011, explaining that there weren't enough cases to be considered a cancer cluster by their standards. As of 2024, there is still no answer to why so many cases of brain cancer were reported in Middletown.

Government Lack of Concern

On March 29, 2011, a Senate Committee met to discuss towns that might have Disease Clusters. Senator Sherrod Brown strongly urged for more help from the federal government for communities dealing with serious diseases like cancer and multiple sclerosis. He stated that families in these areas need local teams to provide information and support. Disease clusters in places like Clyde, Wellington, Marion, Middletown, and Marysville have brought immense pain and sadness. Brown emphasized the importance of figuring out why these terrible diseases are affecting so many people in these areas.

S.3861 - Strengthening Protections for Children and Communities From Disease Clusters Act (111th Congress (2009-2010)
S.76 - Strengthening Protections for Children and Communities From Disease Clusters Act (112th Congress (2011-2012)
S.50 - Strengthening Protections for Children and Communities From Disease Clusters Act (113th Congress (2013-2014)

However, 13 years later, Congress has not made any progress in dealing with disease clusters. Although there have been several attempts to introduce a bill to help, these proposed bills have not moved forward and are stuck in committees. This lack of movement, along with not enough media coverage and low public interest, as well as the current political situation in Washington, makes it unlikely that things will change soon. As a result, communities affected by these diseases still face challenges in getting important information and support from the federal government. There is a need for more resources and determined efforts to help these communities handle and fight these serious health problems.

Summary

The problem of disease clusters in Ohio, especially in places like Marion, Marysville, and Middletown, presents a significant public health challenge potentially linked to environmental issues. Despite state agencies conducting investigations and taking steps such as relocating schools, support from the federal government remains insufficient. Efforts to pass legislation providing greater protection have not been successful, leaving communities without crucial assistance and answers. These persistent health problems, coupled with political delays, emphasize the urgent need for heightened awareness, thorough investigation, and decisive action to combat these serious illnesses. By meticulously examining these clusters, we could potentially discover methods to prevent them.

Keeping communities safe from pollution requires implementing stringent regulations regarding hazardous substances, which includes updating the Toxic Substances Control Act. Furthermore, enhanced federal support and resources are necessary for affected communities, as well as in-depth research into the origins of these disease clusters. This proactive strategy can aid in preventing future incidents and delivering essential support to those presently impacted by environmental health risks.