Lung and mesothelioma cancer rates for men and women living in neighborhoods near the Stauffer Chemical Co. site in Tarpon Springs, Fla., were similar or lower than state-wide rates, according to information released today by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

ATSDR reviewed cancer data for years 2000-2002, the most recent available when the review began in 2004.

ATSDR’s cancer data review found 120 people living in the four census tracts (many thousands of people) nearest the Stauffer site were diagnosed with lung or mesothelioma cancer.

Of these 120 people, 111 had lung cancer about equally split among men and women. The rate for women was similar to that found statewide. The rate for men, however, was 29 percent lower than for men in Florida.

Nine men had mesothelioma cancer, but no women were diagnosed with mesothelioma. Data indicated that none of the men with mesothelioma worked at the Stauffer facility.

The cancer data review followed the agency’s 2003 public health assessment of the Stauffer Chemical Co. Superfund Site. In that report, ATSDR concluded that while in operation the plant was a public health hazard. The Stauffer facility closed in 1981.

Today ATSDR is announcing results of the cancer data review and two additional activities at drop-in style public availability sessions at the Tarpon Springs Cultural Center from noon-2 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.

The other ATSDR announcements are the outcome of former-worker medical testing and preliminary results of a cause-of-death review of former Stauffer workers.

ATSDR’s medical testing of 36 former Stauffer workers showed 70 percent had evidence of mild or moderate respiratory problems.

The respiratory conditions cannot be linked to working at Stauffer because they might have been caused by exposures at other places or by a previous illness.

Some of the respiratory conditions could have been caused by an infection of the lung or worsened by smoking or other health conditions not related to employment at Stauffer.

The 36 volunteers, all men, were between 47 and 90 years old. They worked at Stauffer between two and 36 years, though most were employed at the plant less than 10 years. ATSDR recruited and evaluated workers over a six-month period.

In its cause-of-death study, ATSDR identified 2,523 former Stauffer employees. Of those who were deceased, 504 had records containing enough information for analysis.

Most causes of death for those 504 former workers were similar to causes of death in Florida and the United States. However, there was a small increase in the proportion of former Stauffer workers who died from death pneumoconiosis and other lung diseases, and nervous system and sense organ disorders.

The mortality results cannot be linked with Stauffer or other employment because information on individual exposures and other possible risk factors was not available. Similarly, the results cannot be used as a prediction applied to workers still living.

Former Stauffer workers interested in receiving health information about maintaining respiratory wellness should contact Health Education Specialist Azania Heyward-James toll-free at 1-888-422-8737.

In addition, for people who fill out a referral card, ATSDR will mail to their health-care provider a packet containing information about Stauffer site hazards and health resources. There is no cost to the individual or health care provider.