No, Larry, just regular power lines.
Nearby there is a small airport and a marina.

The building has been there for many years...in fact, it used to be the "colored" school in town....so you can imagine how old it is.
So far, we have not come up with any such "cluster" of brain cancer anywhere else in the area. The investigation keeps pointing back to the school grounds and/or building.

Has anyone contacted the American Cancer Society? They keep statistics on the incidence of cancer throughout the country and track clusters, that sort of thing. I can't say how accurate or up-to-date their records would be, but they might be able to provide some help in sorting this out.

No answers yet? Radon? Natural mineral deposits that can also cause strong magnetic fields?
Lead paint or pipes in an old building? Mercury?

News Update last night mentioned levels of lead found in the building, "...under investigation".
Water samples (taken months ago) "..are not back yet".

Thanks for the Cancer Society idea, Anna.
I'm gonna follow up on that.

Good that it's getting some coverage and attention. Hang in there!

Well, the water tests have finally been made public...sort of.

They show high levels of lead in the school's drinking water.
The school has brought in bottled water for the kids to drink and all the children are being tested for lead in their bloodstream.

It's a start.....

Well, Kitty, even if this is not the cause of the cancers, lead is dangerous for kids! It's a good thing someone looked into that.
Congratulations! <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/smile.gif" width=15 height=15>

Yes Lead is a very dangerous substance. I think it like stays in your liver untill the day you die...(least that's what an old hippy friend told me.) Not to mention all the other nasty side effects from lead.

*I know here in North NY state you can only use steel shot when hunting ducks. Apparently the ducks were ingesting left over shot, and dying from lead poisoning.

Not to make light, but I remember a kid in gradeschool that used to eat pencils. (way back in the day when the real deal was used making pencils)....This guy had a real high I.Q. ect...But to see him now, is a pitifull sight. All the symptoms of excessive lead poisening...Not pretty. I hope this issue is as cut & dried as it seems. Sounds to me, like it's in the water. Whatever the case, good luck in your cause Kitty West!!! <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/smile.gif" width=15 height=15>

Rb

Lead can be very harmful, it does something to brain cells that limit a child's ability to learn...

As for your friend, RB, it may have been something else that caused his problem, because lead pencils have not contained lead for many many years... like over 100 years or thereabout... lead pencils are made with graphite.

Either way, people with children should be cautious of old pipes... let water run for several minutes before using it to drink or cook food... and watch out for paint chips... lead-based paints are still on the market for marine paints... so even though most new paints are safe, some aren't... and old paint chips (pre-1975 or thereabout) may contain lead too.

Sending continuing blundervibes to the people who attended that school...

It must have been the 4 way then Wyld. That's a destinct possibility????<img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/eek.gif" width=15 height=15>