Silent Spring Institute was founded by the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition in 1994 to study extraordinarily high breast cancer incidence rates in the state. It is the only organization dedicated to research about breast cancer prevention and has been cited in federal reports by the President's Cancer Panel, Institute of Medicine, and the Federal Interagency Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Coordinating Committee.

Currently, not enough is known scientifically about the levels of contaminants released into groundwater from conventional and alternative wastewater treatment systems. With a long history of investigation into emerging contaminants in water on Cape Cod, Silent Spring Institute has provided some of the first data on endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in Cape groundwater. EDCs are generating increased concern because they can interfere with the activity of natural hormones.

It is very basic common sense to conduct research with the goal of protecting public health from carcinogens and endocrine disrupting chemicals. All citizens in Massachusetts deserve to know that their drinking water is safe, clean, and non-toxic," Osimo says. "Silent Spring Institute is the only research organization whose mission it is to investigate the link between the environment and women's health, and they are one of the only organizations studying these chemicals in Massachusetts.

This year, new wastewater management decisions are being considered on Cape Cod. Silent Spring Institute's proposed research investigating emerging contaminants in wastewater is needed to inform wastewater management decisions to address impacts on the health of people and ecosystems for years to come. Without this funding, sufficient scientific evidence on these contaminants will be lacking.

"Cape Cod communities are making important decisions about the future of wastewater management and drinking water protection," says Laurel Schaider, PhD, who leads Silent Spring Institute's water research program. "While there is growing recognition that nutrient pollution needs to be addressed in order to protect coastal waters and ponds, Silent Spring Institute wants to make sure that we protect drinking water, too."

With the mission to prevent environmental causes of breast cancer, the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition will continue to advocate for its sister organization. Margo Simon Golden, President of the Board of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition, says, "We will continue to reach out to our supporters on behalf of Silent Spring Institute. If we want to prevent breast cancer for future generations, we must take action now to reduce exposure to environmental contaminants linked to the disease."

The Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition urges all state citizens to email or call their senators and express their concern that Silent Spring Institute's research is not being made a priority. To find your legislators contact information, visit www.malegislature.gov/People/Search. Tell your senators you are disappointed that your health has not been made a priority in water management decisions!