The whole thing is very scary. I would never live anywhere near there, and have been saying that since way back when the munitions were found. I definitely believe that all those chemicals and gasses could cause a cancer cluster; look at what has happened at Camp Lejeune because of the contaminated water!

Is AU Park affected? It's right across Mass Ave ...

It's very scary and I feel great sympathy for the families in the neighborhood.

However, when I read that a nanny had a actinic keratosis and blamed it on munition exposure, I am disgusted. AKs are not a serious medical condition - acc'd to web md, HALF THE WORLD HAS AKs. I've had dozens of them because I am fair-skinned. Any dermatologist will simply freeze them off in three seconds in their office.

Here's the description:
Actinic keratosis is very common, affecting half of the global population. It is seen more often in fair-skinned individuals, and prevalence may vary with geographical location and age.

I think that's the real story here. Suing for an AK is like suing the US government for your sunburn.

There have been other threads on DCUM about Spring Valley and I've been surprised that some posters have questioned the truth about the toxicity. The Washingtonian lays out a good outline but people who have lived in the neighborhood or know others who have lived there have heard many, many more stories. Can't believe anyone would live there.

How could anyone buy or sell a house in that neighborhood as this info becomes more widespread.

There have been other threads on DCUM about Spring Valley and I've been surprised that some posters have questioned the truth about the toxicity. The Washingtonian lays out a good outline but people who have lived in the neighborhood or know others who have lived there have heard many, many more stories. Can't believe anyone would live there.

How could anyone buy or sell a house in that neighborhood as this info becomes more widespread.

That's very sad. We looked at a house in SV that we really loved, but thought the risk wasn't worth it. I'm glad we passed.

yeah, and no one seems to be able to successfully sue either army corps or Miller. We lived there for 2 yrs, while I was pregnant with my DS. He has developmental issues which I truly believe are tied to the water I drank BEFORE DC water handed out free water filters to everyone in the neighborhood. When DS was born, he had high lead levels in his blood...lasted until I got a clue and started using bottled/filtered water.

I guess we have to live with the nagging doubts in our mind unless someone is successful in their suit.

Anonymous wrote:It is a known cancer cluster. Very sad.

Are there others? New to this area and looking for a house.

It is a known cancer cluster. Very sad.

I think you meant "its" ?

Horrifying.

I had no idea. The woman mentioned at the start and end of the article is a colleague of mine.

This is really scary. I would seriously never live in that neighborhood (would never take the risk no matter how remote) and I am surprised that people still do.

You could live next door for only $1.7M.

http://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/4840-Glenbrook-Rd-NW-20016/home/10178147

http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/people/the-toxic-waste-pit-next-door/

Realtors are going to hate this.