October 8, 2005 Update:

Though we originally attributed the statement in the article headline below to University of Georgia Professor, Dr. Jeff Fisher, we were recently informed by Dr. Fisher that he did NOT make this statement. He was kind enough to email us, explain the situation, and request that we change our headline. We have gladly done so and apologize to Dr. Fisher for the improper attribution/implication. We have posted Dr. Fisher's clarification (sent to us via email) with his permission:

From: Jeff Fisher
Date: Oct 8, 2005 10:00 AM

I need to tell you that the editors of the local newspaper added the headline about TCE is a human carcinogen. I did not say, 'TCE is really a human carcinogen'. I think that statement is a very controversial statement and I am not qualified to evaluate the epidemiological data that support or refute the claim. It is regulated as a probable human carcinogen, which means is that the goal is to protect the population from its potential carcinogenic effects. I would appreciate you removing the statement from your article on your website. It suggests that I say TCE is a known human carcinogen.

Thank you,

Jeff Fisher

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Originally posted on October 6, 2005

From the Athens Banner-Herald (GA):

TCE really is a human carcinogen

by Jeff Fisher

After the Athens Banner-Herald's Sept. 22 editorial on the use of trichloroethylene at Nakanishi Manufacturing in Athens-Clarke County ("Allegations of local TCE harm not yet proven"), I'm compelled to provide a better-informed view. I've spent 20 years conducting toxicological research on TCE, and I participated in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's most recent reevaluation of the health risks it poses.

Last month, I participated on an expert panel to review the state of New York's proposed air guideline value for TCE.

TCE is regulated as a human carcinogen. Authoritative consensus-based bodies classified TCE as a probable human carcinogen in 1995 and in 2000. Human cancers associated with TCE are liver/biliary, kidney, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, cervix and esophagus. The editorial is incorrect in stating "it is not abundantly clear there is a link between TCE exposure and cancer." The cited references are out of date.

TCE is a common environmental contaminant. Many industries now use other cleaning products, or have changed processes in order to reduce or eliminate reliance on TCE. I compliment Nakanishi for its effort to reduce or phase out TCE use, and encourage aggressive action in that regard. I say this not only because of citizen concerns, but because a pending National Academy of Science review of the health risks will probably impact environmental regulations for TCE in the United States.

The public health "state of affairs" when a company emits tons per year of a chemical carcinogen such as TCE into the air of a neighborhood with a school is one of great polarization and controversy. This circumstance has repeated itself many times across this country during the last 20 years. My real surprise in Athens-Clarke County is that no air quality or water quality data are available to determine the exposures of local residents and children to TCE. From a thermodynamic point of view, people in the community are highly likely to be exposed to TCE. The question is what the concentration of TCE is in the air, or, perhaps, the water. The only hint of what the TCE exposures may be to local residents comes from mathematical models that predict the air concentrations of TCE based on reported stack emissions data.

The limited modeling data I have seen predicts TCE concentrations of 1 to 4 micrograms per 1,000 liters of air. Members of the expert panel of which I was a part last month were verbally recommending a TCE air guidance value ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 micrograms per 1,000 liters of air to the New York State Department of Health. I think a better understanding of community exposures to TCE is one step in the right direction to better understand the heath risks posed from TCE in the community.

To demonstrate harm to children from exposure to TCE in the Coile Middle School or community, as suggested in the editorial, would require a large and fairly expensive research/clinical study to evaluate selected health concerns such as neurobehavioral/reproductive problems. Also, many cancers take years to develop, so children from the school would be adults before the onset of cancer. This approach is probably not an option without federal assistance and the willingness of the community to participate. Proving harm also suggests that the burden of proof relies on the citizens. They have complained about health issues.

• Fisher is a professor in the University of Georgia's College of Public Health and head of the Department of Environmental Health Science.