An interesting twist to this is that perchlorate is also naturally occuring. While some view this as exculpatory, it really makes the situation worse. You can handle the levels that are naturally around, but the contamination from rocket fuel is pushing people over the risky edge.

Pratical advice for foodies. Kosher salt, while superior for disolving onto a surface, is not iodized (at least, I've never seen an iodized kosher salt). So stick with iodized salt for most cooking and all baking (here kosher salt is inferior anyway); it will protect your thyroid.

I need help/advice/direction regarding groundwater contamination and my husband's diagnosis of brain cancer. Following his diagnosis, I found out about a few other people from the area that also had brain tumors. I though it was strange to know this many people with brain tumors so I began searching the internet to see if contaminanats might have been present. I have since found out that he grew up in one of the worst groundwater contamination sites in the nation (San Gabriel Valley, Ca.). I have found information showing his water company's wells were located in areas containing plumes of Trichloroethylene (TCE) & Perchloroethylene (PCE)as well as small amounts of vinyl chloride. I have also found out that vinyl chloride is known to cause brain cancer. So, after living there for 30 years and finding that regions of this area contain 10x to 100x maximum toxicity levels of TCE & PCE and knowing that the polluters have in fact been identified, I would have thought it would be pretty straight forward to hold either the water company or polluters responsible for my husband's illness. I've spoken with 3 different law firms who have all said it's too difficult to prove (2 were toxic tort atty's). Most recently I was told by one of them to consult a scientist. One of the atty's has appeared to be helpful by giving suggestions, but just when I think I've gathered enough evidence to solve his latest objection, he still says "sorry, can't help you" and gives me a new objection or task. So, what do I need to do to find the "smoking gun"? What type of scientist should I consult? And, is it possible to separate 2nd hand smoke (his parents were both smokers) from primary responsibilty for his brain cancer? I know that there has been no association found between breast cancer & smoking. It would seem a logical extension to me (because of the blood/brain barrier) that it would be even mored difficult to associate 2nd hand smoke and brain cancer. I need help please!!! Am I wasting my time pursuing this? If I don't pursue it, we can't afford the travel expenses to seek out clinical trials, but I don't want to waste the precious little time we have on futile pursuits if it truly is hopeless. Thanks for your time and advice.

Ed. Note: anyone with advice for Stephanie can email me, amanda[AT]enviroblog.org, and I'll get her the info