Introduction
The fear that industrial pollution, present in trace amounts in the environment around us, may be causing "cancer clusters" -- local areas where cancer is more prevalent as a result of cancer-causing pollutants -- has received a great deal of attention recently. Films such as Erin Brockovich and A Civil Action have helped bring clusters to the forefront, and community concern over possible clusters has led to congressional mandates, federal investigations, and an increase in public sensitivity to the issue. In this report, the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) provides a concise introduction to the issue, to help journalists, public officials, healthcare providers, and members of the public understand both the science and the beliefs that drive the discussion.
© 2002 Medscape
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