CEWG Works To Achieve Better Knowledge All Around

Perfect knowledge of risks is impossible, no matter how much money is spent to learn more. Nonetheless, a great deal is now known about health risks from pollutants, and the pool of know-how and knowledge perpetually grows.

The science of epidemiology (science of diseases in populations) requires people trained in the field. Applying the science, improving on it, and the required training all cost the going rate for epidemiologists. These significant costs are partly what limit our getting all the answers for all diseases as soon as we all would like. In work done for the public, these are costs to the public; that is, to taxpayers. 

The CEWG is an urgent forum that involves the needed mix of interests and skills to get the answers for Intel Rio Rancho and for its neighbors much faster than is typical, which is confoundedly slow.

The CEWG has organized major panels of epidemiologists to review work methods and results of studies focused on certain diseases in Corrales—pulmonary fibrosis (2010-2011) and Lou Gehrig’s Disease ( 2016-2017). A study of 13 kinds of cancer is continuing (2019-present). Of these studies, the most extensive exchange of information among all interests has been the work on cancers. Dr. Chuck Wiggins, UNM epidemiologist, has led the technical work on cancer rates and led the public discourse on the methods, including strong points and weaker points of the science itself.   

The best answers to societal concerns depend on all these aspects and more.

– John Bartlit, Acting Chair
Community Environmental Working Group