And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com. An alum of Colonia High School in Woodbridge is raising the alarm over a possible cancer cluster among the school's graduates. The investigation wasnt thorough enough, residents argue, and didnt involve water testing or analysis of the soil beyond radiological tests. Wish me luck! My three siblings graduated class of 91, 95, and 98. With confirmed cases now at 61 we have an incidence of 61 out of approximately 10,000 individuals. "They kind of understand," Komorek said, adding her children have to start over with new classes, teachers and schoolmates. "If we can enrich science by showing that an unknown compound is in high concentration and link it to primary brain tumors, maybe we can protect others, remove it from our environment to make sure it never happens again," he said. Trng Vng High School. "We absolutely have concerns, the Democrat told NJ.com. This list too has grown quickly and is now 24 individuals. Komorek, who was hesitant about having her children, a junior and a freshman, at the high school, transferred them to another district school this week. Everything that was found is normal." All rights reserved. "[A]t least pick up the phone and say, Hey Al, what do you see? And I would be happy here's my list. "I don't think this is the end of the story. A part of the campus is named for Pat Barbato - a longtime football coach . Find Us . Despite the number of cases, officials first have to determine if scientific evidence indeed indicates a connection between the school grounds and the brain tumors. "The results we have is not something the Department of Health, or DEP, or anyone, can rely on. Is cancer spreading at a New Jersey high school? It confers such chaos into the people who are affected by it.. T+M Associates, an environmental engineering firm, was asked to investigate a link between the school and brain cancer last month. Twenty-two years later, in 2021, doctors discovered that his wife, Michele, had a tumor, a benign acoustic neuroma on the left side of her brain. The numbers of primary brain tumors continues (unfortunate) to rise as the story has gone national. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Pollution gets cleaned up or dissipates into the air. Al Lupiano, a 1989 Colonia High School graduate, has developed a list of nearly 120 people who were students, teachers or staff members at the school who have developed brain tumors.Lupiano's . ", Lupiano eventually arrived at a single linking factor between himself, his wife and his sister: they each attended Colonia High School in Woodbridge in the 1990s. A Record of Decision (ROD) for Soils was signed September 2005. That means we have an incident rate of 15 cases out of 5,000 people. McCormac said he has seen Komorek's findings and consulted with the superintendent of schools. Secondary brain tumors, which originate elsewhere in the body and then spread to the brain, are more common. Officials also reviewed local data on naturally occurring radioactive deposits and followed up on reports of a radioactive rock discovered in a science classroom in 1997. Since the previously stated incident rate of GBM and AN is 10-30 out of 1,000,000, the rate of CHS brain tumors is 30,000 out of 1,000,000. . The incident rate for GBM is approximately 30 out of 1,000,000 people. His sister Angela Decillis graduated . All three have been diagnosed with a brain tumor. The Middlesex Sampling Plant is located at 239 Mountain Avenue in Middlesex, New Jersey. Sadly, several have already died. Colonia High School is now the subject of radiation detecting research. "We immediately contacted our environmental consultants, the health department of the Township of Woodbridge, and township officials to review the information. "Im not sure what they will propose, but I hope this is going to include comprehensive soil, ground, water (testing)," she said. I will not rest until I find the answer! When the state health department calculated the number of brain and other nervous system tumors that would be expected among the cohort of students and staff from 1968 to 2021, it concluded it could be up to 120 individuals just slightly under Mr. Lupianos count of about 125 (though he believes his tally is an undercount). "One hundred out of 15,000 have brain cancer -- sure sounds like something we should be concerned about," Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac has said. The soil sample also contained some pesticides. Jason Wisinski, who lost his wife and sister-in-law, both Colonia High alumnae, to primary malignant brain tumors at the age of 38, became one of many convinced that a cluster a hyperlocal blight of cancer could explain why so many young residents were succumbing to tumors. Thats why scientists and responders bear a great responsibility when it comes to helping citizens navigate uncertainty around a disease like cancer, which on its own can feel random and inexplicable. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/05/opinion/cancer-cluster-colonia-woodbridge.html. Parents of students at Colonia High School wonder if the 1960s-era building is contaminated with mercury or formaldehyde. V Trng Ton High School. "We appreciate the NJDOH, NJDEP, ATSDR, and CDC assistance to the Woodbridge Townships environmental investigation that is currently ongoing, but strongly believe that this is not enough," the petition says in seeking the involvement of more state and federal agencies. She stressed more testing needs to be done on the schools East Street property to see if there are other sources of possible contamination, such as fill material, illegal past discharges, or contamination from other sites. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. PROMISING CANCER VACCINE IN THE WORKS UTILIZING SIMILAR MRNA TECHNOLOGY THAT COMBATS COVID: DUKE RESEARCHERS. While I am thrilled to have the information coming in again, its also very troubling to see the numbers continue to grow. (Google Maps). Back in March, Colonia High graduate Al Lupiano posted his theory about possible links between brain tumors diagnoses among 1990s and early 2000s graduates of Colonia High and since then, he . Ive reached out to both the news and local newspapers, but have not received any interest. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. The victims all went to Colonia High School in Woodbridge in New Jersey . In the meantime, the investigation continues. Parents like Dawn Genoni are willing to wait for those results -- at least at the time Genoni spoke to News 4 last month. "Also, records later revealed that in 1948, some radioactively contaminated materials had been trucked from the plant to the Middlesex Municipal Landfill (MML), one-half mile away. Lupiano was diagnosed with a rare and abnormally large brain tumour Acoustic Neuroma (AN) in 1999 when he was just 27 years old. Jason Wisinski, who lost his wife and sister-in-law, both Colonia High alumnae, to . Trinity was led by Mike Bednostin who had a game-high 24 points. Its alarming because there are just so many people with a tumor malignant or benign, and its serious. All rights reserved. Of the 120 or so known carcinogens, some are inescapable, like sunshine, engine exhaust, air pollution or the asbestos still embedded in millions of older buildings. These tumors are even more rare occurring in 10 out of 1,000,000 individuals. Taking the next steps to begin the investigation. "I started doing some research and the three became five, the five became seven, the seven became 15," Lupiano said. Posted: Feb 28, 2023 / 02:45 PM EST. Local and federal environmental agencies say they are assisting the town of Woodbridge, New Jersey, in its investigation into more than 100 graduates of the same high school that have been diagnosed with rare brain tumors. It was an entry point for uranium ores that were "imported for use in the nations early atomic energy program, were assayed at the Middlesex Sampling Plant and then shipped to other sites for processing," according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New York Division. In addition to leaning less heavily on statistical significance, the federal agencys new updates also call for an evolution in the interpersonal aspects of a cluster investigation. For the past six months, Ive spent hundreds of hours scouring the internet and speaking to people about brain tumors. As first reported on New Jersey 101.5, Al Lupiano, a former Colonia High School student, was the one responsiblefor linking the people together. Cancer-Causing Toxins Found in New Tests at NJ School, Mom Says, Raising Concerns. They may seek answers where there are not any or where they are impossible to dredge out. My main focus is still on determining if ionizing radiation is the cause of these tumor and other rare cancers. Something Is Wrong Here. More Than 100 Local Residents Had Brain Tumors, but What Was the Cause? We have to really take a look at it, said Woodbridge Township Mayor John McCormac to ABC 7. Edyta Komorek, an environmental scientist and mother of a Colonia High School rising junior and freshman, was not pacified by the results. Facebook Aside from being the home of the NHL's NJ Devils, they also attract major music acts ranging from Bruce Springsteen to Fall Out Boy to Justin Bieber. observed in 1990. Mr. Lupianos list of former classmates and staff members at Colonia High School with primary brain tumors hit 100 in April. The New Jersey Departments of Health (DOH) and Environmental Protection (DEP) say they are involved in an investigation into the apparent cancer cluster, though Lupiano says he has not received requests for information from either agency. Komorek said sources of PCB in the school could include window, door or sink caulk, floor tile glue, paint, fluorescent light ballasts, expansion joints, concrete and mortar, materials which can emit PCBs into indoor air. A cluster of brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a single New Jersey high school is causing concern. 100 families having to be told the terrible news. Middlesex Sampling Plant to Colonia High School in New Jersey. His most recent Facebook update, as of April 17, 2022, says that he has identified 102 cases. To summarize, primary brain tumors of this type have an incidence rate of between 10-30 out of 1,000,000 individuals. The Woodbridge School District superintendent at the time then added: Radioactivity is ubiquitous in the environment. However, the agency accepts a greater responsibility for helping communities cope with this uncertainty and the lack of resolution that often characterizes these investigations. Any opinions expressed are his own. One month later, Mayor McCormac echoed this sentiment to me: Its frustrating that people who hoped that there was no radiation on the site now are upset that theres not, he said. My wife Michele class of 91. Yesthere is. Theres something special about cancer, said Richard Clapp, a cancer epidemiologist and a professor emeritus at Boston University. But many in the community do not accept them. But some still want more. WOODBRIDGE - An extensive field investigation that included assessing Colonia High School classrooms, building materials and the 28-acre East Street campus found no radiological hazards that warrant further investigation, an environmental assessment determined. And thats not the case. Lupiano believes theres a link between. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection building. "So if that's the case, that could explain why we have pockets of these rare cancers all over Woodbridge Township.". It is possible that soil from the plant had been trucked to Colonia High School during its construction in 1967, according to the NJ Spotlight. In 1997, the contaminated process building was demolished, and the steel stockpiled for recycling. If you would like to help, please contact the news and media agencies as well as your local, County, and State officials and get them involved. Caitlyn Shelton. The city of Woodbridge has been taking the lead on that front, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for testing at a school that graduated roughly 15,000 people over the last 30 years. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. said Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac. A cancer survivor is vowing to untangle the twisted mystery of why almost 100 people associated with a New Jersey high school have developed "extremely" rare malignant brain tumours. New Brunswick, N.J., April 27, 2021 - The New Jersey State Cancer Registry (NJSCR), under the direction of the State Department of Health in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, has been awarded a seven-year, $9,085,109 contract (75N91021D00009) from the National Cancer Institute (NCI . More than 100 people who graduated from Colonia High School have developed brain cancer. "Most of them during the years of 1972 to 2000," said Matthew Stanmyre with NJ Advance Media, who broke the . The site received uranium, thorium and beryllium ores from the 1940s until 1967, at which time the facility was decontaminated to the standards in effect at the time. Several of these people have already died, according to Colonia High School graduate Al Lupiano, who said he was diagnosed with a primary brain tumor in 1999 in a now-viral Facebook post. Al Lupiano, a Colonia High School graduate is on a mission to answer that question after discovering more than 80 fellow graduates from the Woodbridge Township school developed the same rare brain tumor and graduated between the years 1975 to 1995 . The perception of a cluster in a community may be as important as, or more important than, an actual cluster, the C.D.C. The states environmental agency confirmed that the water company which does not use water from ground wells known to be pollution-prone serving the area had not had any violations for radiological contaminants since at least 2004. Here are the best chocolates in New Jersey. Every inch of Colonia High School, part of the Woodbridge Township School District, from buildings to fields, is being tested for radiation to determine if there is a link between the school and the number of cancer cases diagnosed amongst former students and staff. During the freshman orientation for parents, she collected a dust sample inside a bathroom which came back positive for polychlorinated biphenyls also known as PCBs, which have been linked to cancer in humans. In April, Colonia High School in Colonia, New Jersey, made national headlines after more than 100 former students and staff reported online that they had been diagnosed with brain tumors, in a . The facility, which includes several buildings on 9.6 acres, was an entry point for African uranium ores known as pitchblende. "[W]e have really solid data on primary brain tumors because of what we learned after World War Two, what we learned after Chernobyl," Lupiano explained. He was raised in Thornton, CO and moved to Liberal, Kansas where he married and had two girls, Chelsey and Amber. People move in and out of town. Why Al Lupiano raised alarm over Colonia HS cancer links Is it a cancer cluster or a coincidence? That contaminated fill would have been spread all over this town from a point source that I've yet to identify that was illegally dumped back in the 40s, 50s and 60s," he said. More say the information flow is sorely lacking. I hope the state will treat the school the same way because now we have kids who are susceptible receptors involved, and the teachers too," she said. After the CBS Channel 2 News airing, the summarized radio broadcast on CBS 880, and the NJ 101.5 coverage, my phone has not stopped ringing. Thats not body cancers and general tumorsthats 80 rare primary brain tumors! Ray Kent Carlile, "Ray Cool Cat Carlile" was born in Wichita, Kansas May 20, 1957 to Margaret and Earl Carlile and passed away at his home in Canon City on February 23, 2023. I pray we find answers(as of 18:00 4/11, the list stands at 102 individuals), 4/5 UPDATE: There has been quite a lot of news coverage nowKatie Tur of MSNBC, NJ Spotlight, Tap Into, Infolad, etc. A cancer survivor is vowing to untangle the twisted mystery of why almost 100 people associated with a New Jersey high school have developed "extremely" rare malignant brain tumors. According to Tapinto.net, Colonia High opened in 1967, built on woodland property near the Garden State Parkway, in the communitys estate section, surrounded by residential neighborhoods.. There could be a real problem here, and our residents deserve to know if there are any dangers, Woodbridges mayor, John McCormac, said in April. Whether it be for a sporting event, concert, or other popular event, there's a good chance you'll be making your way to the Newark arena dubbed 'The Rock' at some point in the near future. Legal Statement. It was an entry point for African uranium ores known as pitchblende that were imported for use in the nations early atomic energy program, were assayed at the Middlesex Sampling Plant and then shipped to other sites for processing, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New York Division. Ive done the leg work for them and gathered the data for the last 6 months. The agencies acknowledged their concerns regarding the potential cancer cluster, but are not conducting any testing aside from radiation and radon that the Township undertook, even though the school remains open. Anyone can read what you share. DeCillis passed away at the age of 44 from a rare form of brain cancer. A consultant will be testing the grounds at Colonia High School, New Jersey, amid concerns that the school is linked to a high rate of rare brain cancers. With no state regulations for PCBs in schools, she suggested Vermont state guidelines be followed for indoor air testing because they are more conservative than federal Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. If you were affected or have a tumor or rare cancer, I need your assistance. (Google Maps), "Our agencies are aware of the concerns raised by local residents, particularly as they relate to Colonia High School, and are partnering with Mayor McCormac and Woodbridge Township to better understand the issue and determine whether any relevant environmental exposure concerns are present at the site," the DOH and DEP said in a joint statement. So that's why I focused on cancerous or malignant and benign because they're triggered by the same thing, and we have really solid statistics to say all. Chu Vn An High School. Al Lupiano, a Colonia High School graduate is on a mission to answer that question after discovering more than 80 fellow graduates from the Woodbridge Township school developed the same rare brain tumor and graduated between the years 1975 to 1995. In 2016, Congress passed Trevors Law, named after a survivor of childhood brain cancer linked to a suspected cluster in Idaho deemed too small to study. Assuming we follow the same statistical analysis as stated previously, over a 20-year period from 1975 1995, I estimate approximately 5,000 individuals have passed thru the hallowed halls of CHS. or redistributed. In addition the Corps disposed of 33,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil contained within the (MML) pile. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. It is his belief my wife and I may be the first documented case of spouses having an AN, both roughly the same size and on the same side of the headaccording to him, the odds are maybe 1 in a BILLION. But, in order for me to take the next steps, I need the help of others. I discovered 15 people from our circle of friends and their family members and friends had been diagnosed with brain tumors! Casey returns to the Senate after cancer surgery 11 hours ago . We have to accept the results.. The school was one of the first buildings constructed there and has since been expanded. "Seven weeks we've been waiting for them to take a drive from Edison [New Jersey] to Colonia, New Jersey. This helps explain why cluster investigations so often fail to arrive at a satisfying conclusion. 2021 DEADLIEST YEAR IN US HISTORY DUE TO COVID-19, DRUG OVERDOSES. Lupiano, his wife . As previously stated, there is basically one medically proven cause of rare brain tumors like ours radiation. Colonia High School 180 East Street Colonia, NJ 07067 Phone: 732-499-6500 Fax: 732-574-2575. And experts have been able to identify a clear cause in only a tiny percentage of those. "Nothing in the newly reported information has any bearing on the prior studies which determined last spring that no radiation was found inside or outside of Colonia High School," Massimino said in his letter, adding parents would be kept informed of a plan of action based on the advice of experts. He was born in . Some workers, such as miners and firefighters, are exposed to known carcinogens during their careers. As part of the demonstration, the teacher used theinstrument to test a collection of rocks stored in the closet of the science class when one of the rocks registered a reading of radioactivity. The plant, which has since closed, is about a 30-minute drive from Colonia High School. Keep the information coming! My wife and I have known each other since meeting in grade school (Lynn Crest). The plant then "decontaminated to the standards in effect at the time," though "overlooked during decontamination were traces of radioactive materials that had been carried offsite over the years by wind and rain to yards of neighboring homes," the USACE New York Division said on its website. So she took matters into her own hands and found toxic chemicals linked to cancer as well as pesticides at the school. Two environmentalists are using a GPS to test for radiation at the high school, which is still open, the television station reported. In the meantime, Komorek has taken her own two daughters out of Colonia High School, but the mayor cautions against calling it a cancer cluster. Also in the 1980s, the contaminated materials disposed of at the MML were excavated, brought back to the site and stored in a specially constructed pile, known as the MML pile. In Woodbridge and elsewhere, unresolved concerns regardless of whether more can be done, scientifically can seed deep distrust and suspicion in suspected cluster communities. Photo credit Google Street View. Their neurologist, who has been recognized as a global leader in neurosurgery by the World Federation of Neurological Societies, has treated and been involved with tens of thousands of brain tumors in his career. According to the Associated Press, a simple classroomdemonstrationof a Geiger counter resulted in panic when the radiation detectorshowed troubling results when a loud clamor was heard over a rock. In 1980s, the contaminated residential properties were cleaned up, and the excavated soil was stored at the site in a specially constructed pile, known as the Vicinity Properties (VP) pile. The same day my sister was diagnosed (August 2021), I received the devastating news my wife Michele (nee Zawada) also has a very large (3.0 cm), very rare brain tumor called an Acoustic Neuroma (aka Vestibular Schwannoma) on her left side. Thats 100 people with their life forever changed. But, according to the Change.org petition launched Tuesday, complete results aren't even anticipated to be received until the end of May. Warning signs of bile duct cancer; 4 mins ago China's real estate market in 'thirst' for credit; 5 mins ago 3 lonely constellations have companions, difficult ones have someone to show the way; 6 mins ago Le Quang Liem won a beautiful victory against the Filipino-American chess prodigy; 8 mins ago Concerned about the agency to settle land . I don't get that," he said. In 1998 the Corps of Engineers recycled and disposed of the stockpiled steel. $9 Million Contract from National Cancer Institute Awarded for NJ State Cancer Registry. Ive requested a few pieces of historical data, trying to determine the history of the site prior to the construction of the HS. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Al Lupiano . Colonia High School (Google Maps) Middlesex County's Colonia High School, located in Woodbridge, has made national headlines in recent weeks after over 100 former students and faculty were found . The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 producer, writer, and host Joe Votruba. Based on our information regarding the rock, and the surveys conducted of our staff, we are confident that it is safe for the children to return to school. (two newly discovered cases are pending further investigation). Why would they include classes as recent as 2021 when we know many cancers take decades or longer to develop? Because the school remains open, we demand greater urgency to find out if potentially harmful substances are harming our children and staff at Colonia High School.". Lupiano promised his dying sister to dig for the root of the brain cancers apparently linked to the high school. The township does not have records dating back to 55 years ago, the site noted. People struggle to recall their past daily lives which seat they sat in during high school chemistry or where their drinking water came from five years ago. Fox News correspondent Bryan Llenas has the latest as 100+ have been diagnosed with rare brain tumors from Colonia High School in Woodbridge, New Jersey. This now makes three of us in one family with primary brain tumors all on the left side. Al Lupiano, a 1989 graduate of the school, has identified 65 Colonia High graduates, including himself and two other members of his family, who have been diagnosed with an extremely rare brain cancer. Im working on a big piece for Vice News which will air on their network in a week or two, and the Star Ledger is running a multipage story which should drop this Sunday. Phil Murphy told NJ.com the possible brain tumor cluster was disturbing but stressed it was too soon to make definitive conclusions about the cause. Colonia High School 180 East Street Colonia, NJ 07067 Phone: 732-499-6500 Fax: 732-574-2575. There never was a cancer cluster, Mr. McCormac said in June. This is only one of many, many tests that can be performed. While I dont know for sure if they are related, being graduates of the High School, living next to the HS, and/or having rare cancers is something I feel needs to be explored further. Colonia High School entrance. Market data provided by Factset. It's going to have PCBs, they all do. We did exactly what they wanted.. Several news agencies have reached out to me and I anticipate the completed articles and interviews will be released shortly. Keeping my fingers crossed!! A nationwide constellation of state cancer databases was put in place in 1992, but these cancer registries often fail to account for changes in residency. 3/25 UPDATE: The meetings with County, State, and Federal agencies are going well. But in the field of public health, cancer clusters are defined by statistics, not gut instincts. Al Lupiano, a Colonia High School graduate is on a mission to answer that question after discovering more than 80 fe. The 110 people that Lupiano has counted on his list of former Colonia High School graduates have been diagnosed with cancerous or noncancerous primary brain tumors, meaning they originated in the brain.
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