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Residents feel left in the dark after meeting on thyroid cancer cases in Iredell Co.

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — Residents in Iredell County said they still don't have the answers they desperately want.

They want to know if a high rate of thyroid cancer cases is connected to coal ash in their water.

[ALSO READ: State report can’t pinpoint reason for higher rate of thyroid cancer cases in Iredell County]

The rate of thyroid cancer diagnoses in Iredell County is almost double the state rate.

In the video at the top of this webpage, many residents said they still feel left in the dark following a meeting about the issue Thursday night.

Duke Energy statement:

“As a reminder, the report distributed by state health officials tonight states, ‘No published studies support an association between coal ash exposure and thyroid cancer.’ (Though they did not mention this during the very brief Powerpoint presentation regarding their study, you’ll find this on p. 6 of the Jan. 25 report they passed out in tonight’s media kit.)

“Duke University scientists made it clear tonight that their research shows no evidence of coal ash contamination in drinking water in Mooresville. However, tonight’s panel gave an incomplete answer during the Q&A session in response to a resident question about whether coal ash could be distributed via Marshall Steam Station’s air emissions.

“The full answer is that the electrostatic precipitators which have been in place at Marshall Steam Station since the early 1970s remove more than 99% of the ash generated from coal combustion. The addition of flue gas scrubbers in 2006-07 increased this ash capture efficiency to better than 99.7%.

“Duke Energy continues to comply with very strict emissions controls that keep the public and environment safe. Whether you’re talking air, soil or water, extensive testing and research demonstrate residents are safe from potential coal ash impacts.”