A four-month scientific investigation shows there is no cancer cluster in a northwest Miami neighborhood, the Miami-Dade County Health Department’s leader said Monday.
Neighbors that surround the King Metal recycling plant at NW 86 Street and 36th Avenue have been very concerned that their health and lives might be at risk. They blame what they describe as pollution coming from the plant for health problems in the neighborhood, including what they describe as an unusually high number of cancer cases in a concentrated area.
They took their concerns to the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners, which asked the Florida Department of Health to conduct a study.
A close examination of cancer registry and other information found that the community is not a cancer cluster, the Miami-Dade County Health Department’s administrator, Dr. Lillian Rivera, said at a news conference Monday.
But cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the county, she said.
“If you look at the top 10 leading causes of death in the county, number one is heart disease, and second is cancer,” Rivera said.
The recycling plant is temporarily shut down and is awaiting permits to begin work again.
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The Florida Department of Health will send letters to neighbors explaining the study, and asks anyone who has questions to call it at 305-470-5660.
