High nitrate levels on 16 hog farms tied to Gov. Jim Pillen (and higher rates of pediatric cancer)
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Many of these barns are owned by a local boy who grew up a few miles from here, built his small family farm into a global pork empire and then became governor.
Gov. Jim Pillens hog operations bring jobs and prosperity to this area near his hometown. They also may bring risk to Platte Centers drinking water.
The town had to dig a new well three years ago, after another well recorded nitrate at nearly 12 parts per million. Thats higher than the level the federal government says is safe to drink.
High nitrate has been linked to a variety of health conditions, including cancer in children.
Nebraska has the highest pediatric cancer rate west of Pennsylvania. Counties with higher nitrate levels often have higher rates of pediatric cancer, a recent University of Nebraska Medical Center study shows....
https://omaha.com/news/state-regional/high-nitrate-levels-on-16-hog-farms-tied-to-gov-jim-pillen/article_3ead82ac-4eb0-11ee-b378-af35bbcd7350.html
This story didn't make the front page of the Sunday Omaha World Herald. Or even the second page. It was pushed back to the Midlands section.