ABSTRACT
Specific kilohertz frequencies in the environment from variable frequency drives on electric motors at a liquid natural gas compressor and storage station on a natural gas pipeline seem to be associated with the development of a very rare cancer, ocular melanoma, at a high school and in individuals living or working in a neighborhood near the plant. Primary neutral-to-earth oscilloscope voltage waveforms and spectra measured near the high school were nearly identical to the ground voltage 2.3 miles away at the gas pipeline. Peak frequencies of 7440 and 19,980 Hz were found at both places. The electric utility practice of using the earth as a conduit for return currents facilitated this exposure.
Acknowledgment
We would like to thank Joe Wagner, Sue and Kenny Colbert, Melody Burchett Kling of A Cure Insight, and the OM cases and parents who helped us.
Declaration of interest
The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper. Travel expenses were paid by a small grant from Professor Martin Graham to SM.