The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Public Health, recently released two reports about cancer rates in the Chauncey area of Logan County. The reports address environmental and other potential health concerns in the small community.

Chauncey has a higher than average incidence of cancer among community residents when compared to state averages. Fears and concerns over potential exposure to toxic materials have lead the community members to ask state and federal officials for help.

"To date, we have not found one overarching cause for the various cancers found among the residents of Chauncey. Most likely several factors are involved," said State Health Officer Catherine C. Slemp, M.D. "We will continue to work with the community to further investigate and work toward reducing cancer or the cause for cancer in this area."

The Chauncey PCB Site Health Consultation found that chemicals present in samples taken by the United States Environmental Protection Agency are not currently found at levels likely to cause health problems. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and DHHR concluded the initial investigation with no clear public health hazard existing in the Chauncey area.

The lack of previous environmental data from the area does not allow for a review and determination of past exposures to determine their effect on the community. The DHHR will review results of more samples taken by the EPA to determine if the samples contain levels consistent with the potential for adverse health effects.