Updated May 25, 2006
Little did the children of Ashland, Mass. know that when they were swimming in the town ponds, they were putting themselves at risk for cancer years later. The popular cooling off spots were actually hazardous waste dumps and the risks of exposure are becoming evident after the conclusion of a study.
The seven year study found that people who swam or had contact with water near the Nyanza Inc. dye plant were 2-3 times more likely to develop cancer than those who never went near the water. The study involved people who swam in the hazardous ponds in the 1960's to 1980, when the plant closed. Of the 1,387 people interviewed, there was 73 were diagnosed with cancer and there were 8 cancer deaths.
The results of the study brings mixed emotions to the families of Ashland, who have often questioned the safety of the ponds. The Boston Herald reports that many families said children would come home with blisters on their hands or dyed skin as a result of swimming in the contaminated water. <br><br>Interest sparked in 1998 when five adults who swam in the waters developed sarcoma. 3 of the swimmers died. Health officials soon began the study to confirm suspicions.
Ashland residents who came in contact with the water on the Nyanza plant grounds are being urged to seek consultation with a physician.
