Health and Coal

Today the news is filled with speculation regarding cancer news from an independent study of Coal Loading Workers at a NSW port. It seems they have found a higher rate of cancers including colorectal, melanoma and  prostate cancers.
This follows on from the study of Country Fire Authority Fiskville workers and their exposure to hazardous materials without appropriate safety measures.
With both of these studies, the first and most important facts/questions have been answered. Is there a risk and is it greater than in the general population. But the answers to the questions most workers want have not been answered, and may never get answered to everyone's satisfaction. What caused these cancers and are the current clusters "just a statistical anomaly"?
Who wants to be a statistical anomaly?
I'm at the age when several of my contemporaries and friends are starting to see differences in heath appearing. I have one friend recently released from the Peter Mac Cancer Hospital. Several others have been treated and are in remission, but of course living with the recurrent fear of the cancer return.
So what has caused these cancers?
Perhaps we shall find out but perhaps not.
Life is such a mystery sometimes.

"Always do right- this will gratify some and astonish the rest."

- Mark Twain (1835-1910)