Can exposure to the chemicals on the site cause cancer, specifically pancreatic cancer?
No. While several of the contaminants are known or suspected carcinogens, exposures to these chemicals at the site are not expected to result in increased cancer risk. The etiology (i.e., the cause) of pancreatic cancer is unknown. It ranks 11th among all cancers diagnosed in the United States with approximately 28,300 new cases expected in 2000 [45, 40]. The median age at diagnosis is 70 years with cases occurring most frequently in males [45]. The main risk factor that has been established for pancreatic cancer is cigarette smoking, with a two-fold risk for smokers as compared to non-smokers [45]. Epidemiological studies on other risk factors associated with pancreatic cancer have been inconsistent but have found that high fat intake, excessive consumption of coffee (more than 5 cups a day) and some alcoholic beverages, a medical history of diabetes, pancreatitis, and cholecystectomy are also related to an increased risk of developing this disease [44]. • Can exposure to the chemical
