Acute lymphocytic leukemia case study

The subcommittee is aware of a suspected cancer cluster in Fallon, Nevada, and that exposure to JP-8, originating from a naval base located in that town, is under investigation as a possible cause of the cluster (exposures to other chemicals are being investigated as well). Since 1997, sixteen persons currently or previously living in Fallon have been diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), a type of childhood cancer. One case of ALL would be expected approximately every 5 yr in Churchill County, where Fallon is located, based on the size of the population (Nevada State Flealth Division 2002). No scientific studies were found that examined a potential relationship between ALL and JP-8 exposure therefore, the subcommittee could not reach any conclusion concerning exposure to JP-8 and this suspected cancer cluster. 

Maternal exposure to paints and pigments, metal dusts and sawdust was reported significantly more frequently by the parents of children with acute lymphocytic leukemia in a farther case control study [5]. 

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