Texas Health Report Identifies Cancer Cluster Near AtascocitaA new state health assessment has identified a 250-square-mile area near Atascocita in east Harris County as a cancer cluster, raising concerns about potential environmental risks in the region.The study, conducted at the request of the Texas Health and Environment Alliance (THEA), examined cancer rates in the San Jacinto River floodplain, including areas near the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund site. Some residents suspect a link between the cancers and hazardous waste pits that have existed in the river for decades.According to the report, cases of cervical cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, and lymphoma were statistically higher than expected compared to statewide cancer rates. Other cancer types were found to be within or below the expected range.Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey has urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take immediate action in response to the findings.--- Study LimitationsHealth officials caution that the study does not establish a direct cause for the elevated cancer rates. Some cancer types had a small number of cases, resulting in wide confidence intervals that limit statistical reliability.The data is based on patients' residences at the time of diagnosis, meaning it does not account for individuals who may have moved away before developing cancer or those who relocated and were later diagnosed.While certain cancer rates were elevated, experts emphasize that the findings should be interpreted with caution due to statistical limitations and the complexity of cancer development. The study did not establish a definitive link between environmental exposure and the increased cancer cases.---Read More:Review the full study from the Texas Department of State Health Services, here:
www.atascocita.com/p dfs/2025-Harris-Coun ty-Cancer-Assessment -Report.pdfYou can read reporting by other news organizations, here:www.khou.com/article /news/local/report-f inds-cancer-cluster- upstream-downstwww.texastribune.org /2025/02/24/texas-ha rris-county-cancer-r isk-epa-superfuwww.houstonchronicle .com/news/houston-te xas/environment/arti cle/texas-cance