4,000 state health records stolenOfficials will notify people involved
in PBB toxin research and offer free credit monitoring.Kim Kozlowski /
The Detroit NewsAdvertisementGET FREE HEADLINES BY E-MAILThe PBB crisis#
Cattle on approximately 25 Michigan farms consumed feed accidentally
mixed with PBB in 1973-74. It was discovered when milk production went
down and calves were born stillborn or deformed.# In 1975, more than 500
farms were quarantined, and an estimated 22,000 cattle either died or
were destroyed. Taken off the market were an estimated 4.8 million eggs,
18,000 pounds of cheese, 34,000 pounds of dried milk and 3,000 pound of
butter.Source: Detroit News researchRelated Articles * Beaumont error
raises care and privacy issues * Printer friendly version *
Comment on this story * Send this story to a friend * Get Home
DeliveryPersonal information for 4,000 people was stolen from the
Michigan Department of Community Health, prompting the state to notify
the residents and offer credit monitoring for a year, officials
announced Friday.The people were part of the state's nearly three-decade
study on the health effects of residents who consumed meat and dairy
products that were tainted with PBB in Michigan. The 1973 health crisis
occurred when fire retardant containing the chemical polybrominated
biphenyl was accidentally mixed with animal feed.The names, addresses,
telephone numbers, dates of birth and Social Security numbers of those
involved in the study were stored on a stolen flash drive.The missing
data did not include health information, medical records or laboratory
information."We are absolutely outraged that an individual would steal
this information from a locked floor in the Department of Community
Health," spokesman T.J. Bucholz said."We don't believe at this point in
time that anyone's identity has been compromised. However, we can't
guarantee that."The stolen flash drive was attached to a computer on a
health department floor with restricted access. Officials discovered
that the drive was missing Aug. 4, but weren't aware of the magnitude of
what was on the drive until Sept. 8. The participants were notified by
letter this week.An investigation has been launched by the Michigan
State Police as well as health department officials.Among those who
received a letter was Hubert Zuiderveen, who lives in Falmouth, east of
Cadillac. Zuiderveen said Friday he was surprised that information was
stolen, and he planned to call the department but the letter stated that
a follow-up letter would be sent within a week."We'll keep an eye on our
checking account," said Zuiderveen, 66. "I read about identity theft and
never give it a whole lot of thought."The state health department leases
seven floors in a private building known as the Capitol View Building,
south of the Capitol in Lansing.Those involved in the study were people
who may have consumed the animal products.Their children were also in
the study.Most lived in Michigan, but others live all over the country,
as far away as Hawaii.You can reach Kim Kozlowski at (313) 222-2024
orKKozlowski@.... As A Footnote The PBB crisis # Cattle on
approximately 25 Michigan farms consumed feed accidentally mixed with
PBB in 1973-74. It was discovered when milk production went down and
calves were born stillborn or deformed. # In 1975, more than 500 farms
were quarantined, and an estimated 22,000 cattle either died or were
destroyed. Taken off the market were an estimated 4.8 million eggs,
18,000 pounds of cheese, 34,000 pounds of dried milk and 3,000 pound of
butter. Source: Detroit News research