IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — State and local leaders held a meeting Tuesday morning to discuss a suspected thyroid cancer cluster in Iredell County.
Channel 9's cameras were not allowed in that meeting, but Rep. John Fraley told Channel 9 they've been working alongside state environmental and health agencies to coordinate water testing.
He didn't say exactly when the testing would begin, but said it will be soon. Once it does begin, he said it will be a long process.
"Please understand that this is a process that’s going to take months or years to ultimately try to determine an answer," Fraley said.
For months, researchers have been testing soil and water in the southern part of the county after a concerned mother pushed officials to investigate why her 16-year-old daughter and so many other young girls were getting thyroid cancer.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- Chemical linked to thyroid issues detected in water at Lake Norman High School, expert says
- Police identify gunshot victim who showed up at gas station after south Charlotte shooting
- Woman delivering for UPS shocked when homeowner points gun
- FORECAST: Dry, mild weather pattern continues
- Driver charged with DWI after 13 students injured when school bus overturns in Alexander Co