The study is the second done on the issue of whether contamination from Hill Air Force Base has affected cancer rates in surrounding communities. In 2003, the same office did a study on 1973-1999 cancer rates in Sunset and Clinton, but the results were inconclusive.

...The 2003 study showed elevated rates of cancer during several periods, but said there was no evidence suggesting it was related to the groundwater contamination.

That study found elevated rates of gallbladder cancer from 1988-92 and cumulatively for the 16-year period. It also showed higher rates of testicular cancer from 1988-92 and high rates of kidney and renal pelvis cancer from 1973-77 and 1998-99.

"In addition, this investigation found no evidence suggesting that cancer (of any type) was significantly increasing in the communities of Sunset and Clinton during the periods evaluated as compared to the remainder of Utah. The cause of the significantly elevated cancers could not be determined by this investigation," the 2003 study said in its findings.