Why is cancer rate so high in Maine? (Bangor, Castine: appointed, asbestos)

[movintime]

I see this everywhere I research but no one has clear ideas yet why. Anyone live here & can comment on chemicals, or other pollution or environmental issues? Is it genetics of Mainers, or both environs & genes? Thanks for any info on this. My g/f & I love Maine, & consider it to move eventually, but these rates scare me a bit.

We love the coastal areas alot but this is where highest rates are? This doesn't make sense but it seems true from data I've seen.

[OutDoorNut]

Originally Posted by movintime

I see this everywhere I research but no one has clear ideas yet why. Anyone live here & can comment on chemicals, or other pollution or environmental issues? Is it genetics of Mainers, or both environs & genes? Thanks for any info on this. My g/f & I love Maine, & consider it to move eventually, but these rates scare me a bit.

Environmental reasons might include the continental wind pattern that pushes pollution from the midwest and west coast to Maine, making it the ashtray for coal fired power plants across most of the U.S.A.

The vast amount of granite close to or on the surface might be another cause, emiting radion gas and possibly radiation into the air and into well water.

Vitamin D deficiency from lack of sunlight is another.

[OutDoorNut]

Originally Posted by movintime

I see this everywhere I research but no one has clear ideas yet why. Anyone live here & can comment on chemicals, or other pollution or environmental issues? Is it genetics of Mainers, or both environs & genes? Thanks for any info on this. My g/f & I love Maine, & consider it to move eventually, but these rates scare me a bit.

We love the coastal areas alot but this is where highest rates are? This doesn't make sense but it seems true from data I've seen.

I read in the Bangor Daily News a year or two agao, that Perkins Street in Castine is a cancer cluster and no one knows why.

Here's an article in that paper about Maine cancer rates: http://bangordailynews.com/2009/07/3...apping-cancer/

[Maineah]

Maine has the highest rate of smokers in the country. That doesn't help matters.

[elston]

Unregulated industry routinely exposed workers to asbestos and other toxins, over a period of years.....even after the dangers were known and documented. I pray we are not entering into another period of weakened regulations....in the name of being business friendly.

[msina]

Could also have to do with the fact that Maine is the "oldest" State.

[movintime]

Thanks so far you guys. But my roommate here offers an idea that acid rain & such clears the mountains of the Adirondacks, & drops on coastal areas as it heads northeast w/ the winds. I'm not sure this is plausible but I offer it to you all to argue it.

I really am disappointed to see these findings & need to rethink this concern, as being ultra health oriented like I am, I'm going vs me to move there if this is the case.

Thanks again for all your info thus far.

[MainerWannabe]

Wow... I never knew that!
I still have to read/research the matter, but does anybody know what kind of cancer is more prevalent? That should give us a clue to what the cause is...

[MainerWannabe]

Originally Posted by Maineah

Maine has the highest rate of smokers in the country. That doesn't help matters.

Is that a fact Maineah? I just quit 3 weeks ago, and I'm feeling 1000 times better in my overall disposition!

[namder1]

Maineah is right.....seems 3 out of 4 people smoke here.