To determine this, Nayfield's office examines death certificates each month. A person's age, residence and type of cancer are recorded. An overwhelming majority of these deaths are among retirees. Some people doubted faulty septic systems were polluting waters in Chassahowitzka, but a recent study proved that is exactly what has been happening. Some scientists believe nitrate, a chemical found in fertilizers, may be associated with an increase in the risk for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Officials say there is no cause for alarm.
However, no thorough studies have been done on these potential cancer-causing agents. State officials say the same thing. Jill MacKinnon, director of the Florida Cancer Data System, a massive database, said she is unaware of any research in Citrus County. That is not to say scientists do not monitor trends. Some personal information is recorded but it is spotty.