As you drive through the neighborhoods surrounding the former Kelly Air Force Base in Texas, you will notice small purple crosses planted in front lawns. The crosses mark the homes of cancer victims. The people who live in these neighborhoods call where they live the toxic triangle. They believe they have been poisoned by the industrial solvent, trichloroethylene, or TCE, that was dumped at the base for decades and subsequently spread for miles through a shallow aquifer under the 22,000 nearby houses.

The local health authorities admit they have found evidence of increased rates of liver cancer and birth defects for the residents of these neighborhoods, but state it is impossible to say that TCE is the cause. The residents are absolutely certain TCE is the cause of the cancers that plague the people who live there. And this same fate is playing out all over the country, in other cities that are home to military bases, industrial plants, nuclear weapons laboratories and NASA centers.

A controversial drug known to cause birth defects is now being used as for treating cancer. How did this happen? The drug thalidomide used in the 1950's and 60's to treat morning sickness is now available. Apparently it is very helpful for people with myeloma, (malignant tumor formed by the cells of the bone marrow). It has also been used to stop blood vessel development in cancerous cells. This is not a cure for myeloma, but very beneficial and has been found to greatly increase the quality of life. I am going to assume that it will not be used on women of child bearing age. Hmm, funny how things work out.