An Analysis of Contaminated Well Water and Health Effects in Woburn, Massachusetts

In 1979, two of the eight municipal wells servicing Woburn, Massachusetts, were discovered to be contaminated with several chlorinated organics. Shortly afterwards, the town was found to have an elevated rate of childhood leukemia. Using recent information about the space-time distribution of water from the two contaminated wells, we find positive statistical associations between access to this water and the incidence rates of childhood leukemia, perinatal deaths (1970-1982), two of five categories of congenital anomalies, and two of nine categories of childhood disorders. We find no associations with spontaneous abortions, low birth weight, or the other categories of congenital anomalies and childhood disorders. This article discussed these results and other features of the data relevant to their interpretation.