Flower Mound Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem React to Texas Department of Health Services Cancer Cluster Study

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Flower Mound Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem React to Texas Department of Health Services Cancer Cluster Study

A day after receiving a Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) report summarizing a 2010 cancer study conducted in Flower Mound, Flower Mound’s Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem vow to continue monitoring the situation and acting on behalf of the Town’s residents.

“Though this particular report may be complete, it does not bring closure to our on-going air quality monitoring,” said Mayor Melissa Northern. “It is our responsibility to continue to act on behalf of the community.”

While the report states that there were no statistically identifiable trends, Flower Mound’s Mayor Northern and Mayor Pro Tem Albert Filidoro have insisted that because we have families who were stricken by a serious illness, and out of concern for all Flower Mound families, it is important to take the time to study and understand the report findings and its limitations.

“There is a human side to this issue that can’t be defined within the sterile numbers of a statistical study,” said Mayor Pro Tem Al Filidoro. “As long as industrial practices exist in our community that have the potential to create adverse affects for our residents, we will continue to be vigilant.”

The 2010 study provides a baseline analysis of cancer cases diagnosed in Flower Mound between 1999 and 2008. Northern and Filidoro are committed to remaining connected to the Flower Mound residents who requested the original study, and to periodically requesting additional studies and investigations through the TDSHS to provide in-depth trend analysis as appropriate.

“What we know, is what we don’t know. And what we don’t know, is what the long-term health effects these industrial operations could be creating in our community,” said Mayor Northern. “These findings give us reason for optimism, but it often takes time for cancer to develop and decades may pass between exposure to the original cause and the appearance of symptoms. For this reason, our efforts are to stop exposure before it happens must continue with intensity and as an added safeguard we must continue to be vigilant in our air quality monitoring.”

The Town of Flower Mound has taken numerous steps during the past 12 months to monitor air quality. Mobile air quality testing equipment has been acquired for staff inspectors, monthly air quality testing has been implemented, a new full-time oil and gas inspector was authorized, and the Town worked with the State of Texas to install a permanent air quality monitoring station. Flower Mound’s efforts are funded by gas well drillers who operate in the Town through increased permit fees, not local tax dollars.

“Any issue that potentially affects the health, safety and welfare of our residents remains a priority for us, and this is no different,” said Mayor Pro Tem Filidoro. “We are going to be vigilant and aggressive in using every physical, legal, and legislative tool available to help us protect the community.”

Posted 04/28/2011.