1991 Northport Community Health Survey
In 1991, concerned residents of Northport, Washington, conducted a community health survey to document the prevalence of specific health conditions among local residents. Their goal was to highlight an alarming number of rare, autoimmune-related illnesses, which they believed were linked to chronic exposure to heavy metal toxins from Teck Cominco (now Teck Resources), a Canadian smelter located just seven miles upriver from Northport.
At the time, Northport and the surrounding farms had a population of approximately 375 people. The survey collected 208 completed responses, revealing significant health concerns among residents.
Key Findings:
Top Reported Health Issues
- Cancer (bladder, prostate, stomach, kidney, colon): 55 residents (14.66%)
- Ulcerative Colitis / Crohn’s Disease: 19 residents (5.06%)
- Brain Aneurysms / Brain Tumors: 12 residents (3.20%)
- Parkinson’s Disease: 2 residents (0.53%)
- Kidney Issues: 11 residents (2.93%)
- Heart Problems: 23 residents (6.13%)
- Manganese Poisoning: 4 residents (1.07%)
Notably, the majority of residents diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, brain aneurysms, and brain tumors lived on either sides of the Columbia River in the Columbia River Valley.
Statistical Comparisons:
In 1991, at the time of the survey, approximately:
- 1 in 100,000 people were diagnosed with either ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease in the United States, or 0.001% of the general population.
- In Northport 19 out of 375 people had been diagnosed, or 5.06% of the town’s population.
In 1991, statistically:
- 8 in 100,000 people suffered from a brain aneurysm or a brain tumor in the United States, or 0.008% of the general population.
- In Northport, in 1991, 12 out of 375 people had suffered from a brain aneurysm or tumor, or 3.2% of the town’s population.
These findings raised serious concerns among residents, who sought further investigation into the potential health impacts of industrial pollution in their community.