Monday, December 13, 2010

Lower cancer rate in Erin Brokovich town

The 600 residents of Hinkley, California won $333 million in a settlement from Pacific Gas and Electric through the heroic efforts of legal aid Erin Brokovich, made famous in the movie named for her. PG&E paid because it polluted the water supply with chromium, which increases the risk of cancer. But Hinkley residents do not have higher rates of cancer. In a study over the period 1996 to 2008 their rate is 196 cases, which is lower than expected for the demographics and geography of Hinkley. Will they return the $333 million? Washington Post

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