Toxicologist to discuss
Village Park survey

By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Star-Bulletin

Results from a recent survey of Village Park residents shows a higher incidence of asthma and other illnesses, according to a California toxicologist studying the survey.

The findings of Dr. James Dahlgren, a University of California, Los Angeles, toxicologist, will be presented at a meeting at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at Kaleiopuu Elementary School cafeteria, 94-665 Kaaholo St.

Dahlgren said 615 of 2,000 Village Park families responded to the survey.

Residents of the subdivision have complained for years about having higher incidences of illnesses, which they believe are linked to the use of pesticides on nearby agricultural lands.

Dahlgren said the reported number of incidences of asthma, sinusitis and auto-immune diseases, such as lupus, are higher than normal prevalence rates.

For example, 38 percent of the families reported incidences of asthma, he said, while the national average is 2 percent.

Dahlgren also said there appears to be high incidences of breast cancer, respiratory illnesses and gastrointestinal ailments, but noted there is no solid prevalence data on those health concerns.

San Francisco-based law firm Masry and Vititoe, along with local firm Tam and Stanford, is paying for the survey.

The law firm is trying to determine whether there can be litigation against the companies that either used or manufactured chemicals.