Scientists Say Heavy Metal May Be Linked to Leukemia Clusters
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Scientists studying childhood leukemia cases in Arizona and Nevada say their research shows a possible link between tungsten and the disease.
University of Arizona researchers Mark Witten and Paul Sheppard said a small group of laboratory mice developed leukemia-like blood symptoms after they were exposed to the heavy metal and then a common respiratory virus.
The two have been investigating childhood leukemia clusters in Sierra Vista, Ariz., and Fallon, a rural community 60 miles east of Reno, since 2002.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Since 1997, 17 children in Fallon were sickened with leukemia. Three died. The last case in the cluster was diagnosed in 2004.