26 February, 2002
Six deaths this week in Vieques
The Committee for the Rescue and Development denounced the deaths
this past week end of 6 persons, four of them cancer victims. Lung and stomach
cancer were the principal causes. The victims were residents of the Monte Santo and
Lujan sectors, areas that receive winds directly from US Navy's the bombing zone on the
Northeast part of the island. Several scientific studies show how military toxics
produced during sixty years of bombing, get to the population through the breezes and the
food chain.
The Vieques community is alarmed by four deaths from cancer in one
weekend. The previous week saw the death of another victim, this time
cancer of the kidney.
Dr. Rivera Castaño, Viequense epidemiologist and member of the
Committee said, "the Department of Health and Dr. Rullán are very slow
with the cancer study of Vieques and it is high time that a cancer alert be declared
Vieques for Vieques and all the services to deal with this alarming situation should
be offered."
Dr. Rivera Castaña mentioned that "
more than a year
ago the Legislature assigned funds for an epidemiological study on cancer to
be ready in five months and we have not yet seen any results."
The Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques demands
the Navy begin the cleanup of the environmental disaster that little by little
is killing our people. |