Final Report on the Research Study Entitled,

An Investigation into the Number of Cancer Incidences and the Presence of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Three Northeastern Pennsylvania Lakes

From the data collected during this 1-year study, the results showed that there was no evidence of VOCs in the air and in the water at each of the three lakes. Statistically, there was no correlation between the incidence of cancer and (1) the source of drinking water, (2) the time spent at the lake, and (3) swimming in the lake.

To determine if the residents' history of cancer was related to the amount of time (or the amount of time they would be exposed to motorboats) while at a particular lake, a chi square test of independence was performed. Significant relationships were not found between their history of cancer and the amount of time they spent at Lake Winola 2 (4, N = 192) = .921, p = < .05, Lake Spangenberg 2 (3, N = 26) = .139, p = <.05, or Moosic Lake 2 (4, N = 95) = .263, p = <.05. A significant relationship was not found between these two variables when a chi square analysis was performed across all three lakes 2 (4, N = 313) = .327, p = <.05. Based on the number of respondents from our medical survey, the most common types of cancers recorded in ranking order at all three lakes were: (1) skin; (2) breast; (3) colon; and (4) prostate.

Chemical tests and temperature values at each of the three lakes were recorded on a monthly basis for the presence of nitrogen (nitrate in mg/L), phosphorus (orthophosphate in mg/L), and for pH. No high or abnormal values of these parameters were recorded, in fact, all of the lakes exhibited excellent water quality. The presence of good water quality was supported by several biological indicators such as mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, and cold water fish populations.

These lakes seem to support the human impact produced by aquatic recreation, and appear not to be impacted by pollution and boat traffic. All nitrate readings were well below the standard of 10 mg/L, and readings were well below the standard of 1 mg for phosphate. The pH was slightly acidic (~6.5 on average), but this value of pH is normal for northeastern lakes.