Why would they include classes as recent as 2021 when we know many cancers take decades or longer to develop? Al Lupiano first sent public nearly two months ago about concerns of a cancer cluster related to Colonia High School. Remedial Action in accordance with this ROD was completed in FY08. Others told NJ.com they want a remote learning option until the investigation is complete. (Google Maps). That could look like presenting the public with clearer timelines of an investigations course of action, creating portals to gather community feedback and encouraging two-way communications from the start., After all, there has been a long history of patients serving as a critical warning system for epidemiology, with concerned residents having alerted public health officials to mercury poisoning diseases, birth defects caused by rubella, and toxic drinking water contaminants. But this isn't the first time the high school has had questions about the radiation levels in the area. 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. Last summer, Lupiano's wife and now-deceased sister were diagnosed with rare malignant brain tumors on the same day. ( NewsNation) An investigation is underway at a New Jersey high school that could potentially be linked to what's known as a cancer cluster. Im optimistic we may see action in the next few days. When I analyzed the numbers I wasnt prepared to see the results! 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. While I am thrilled to have the information coming in again, its also very troubling to see the numbers continue to grow. WOODBRIDGE TWP., New Jersey -- Al Lupiano graduated from Colonia High School in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey in 1989. The sizes of neighborhood clusters are often too small to yield statistically significant results. My wife Michele class of 91. 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. The numbers of primary brain tumors continues (unfortunate) to rise as the story has gone national. 27 /r/newjersey, 2023-02-22, 22:36:15 Permalink. "My thoughts are we should look into it, but it's what you would expect if you texted caulking from a building built in the 1960s. They weren't taken by a licensed remediation specialist, so I assume our consultants are going to come up with a plan to do some testing, but it will be official by state and federal testing," the mayor said. "We immediately contacted our environmental consultants, the health department of the Township of Woodbridge, and township officials to review the information. A majority of former students of Colonia High School developed glioblastoma, a rare brain tumour. 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. Colonia High School cancer probe -- test results expected? Parents are trying to get authorities to investigate these clusters and to discern what caused the disease patterns. EPA looking into cancer cluster tied to NJ high school. Lupiano has been posting lengthy updates to his Facebook page: 4/11 UPDATE: 100as of midnight Sunday 4/10, I recorded the 100th case of someone having a primary brain tumor. 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. Pollution gets cleaned up or dissipates into the air. Why hasnt anyone confirmed Mr. Lupianos list, in order to have an official tally to compare with the official estimate? Colonia High School. And when do you need to check your own biases and take patients concerns more seriously? We have to really take a look at it, said Woodbridge Township Mayor John McCormac to ABC 7. 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. A cluster of brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a single New Jersey high school is causing concern. My wife and I have known each other since meeting in grade school (Lynn Crest). V Th Su High School. 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. READ NEXT: Graphic Video Captures Death of 14-Year-Old Boy on Orlando Free Fall Amusement Ride. Casey returns to the Senate after cancer surgery 11 hours ago . More like this: Online High School 12 /r . On April 15, 2022, Lupiano wrote on Facebook. It says. Ive also started a sublist of what I am classifying as cases of interest due to several anomalies. By Ed Browne On 4/25/22 at 11:00 AM EDT. "Im not sure what they will propose, but I hope this is going to include comprehensive soil, ground, water (testing)," she said. Al Lupiano, a Colonia High School graduate is on a mission to answer that question after discovering more than 80 fe. 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 1999, the Corps prepared an Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) to address the Vicinity Property (VP) pile remaining at the site. To say he was concerned when he discovered all three of us grew up in the same neighborhood is an understatement. It confers such chaos into the people who are affected by it.. If I trusted those numbers, I would be relieved, and I would be happy, she said. Powered by. The analysis can back with PCBs above federal and state standards as well as pesticides that were banned in 1988," she said. Find Us . If there are any potential environmental exposure pathways identified and a need for further environmental sampling, the state Health Department will work cooperatively with ATSDR to conduct a public health assessment and evaluate the potential for health effects. He received his . 3/21 UPDATE: I am scheduled to present my data to local, County, and State officials. After 2nd grade, my wife attended parochial school until high school, where she attended CHS. Youre looking for footprints in the sand long after the tide has come and gone, said Dr. Clapp. "They are all causing cancer.". His most recent Facebook update, as of April 17, 2022, says that he has identified 102 cases. "It is not enough to address parents of operating school with suspected cancer cluster through written statements given to media outlets," the petition said. or redistributed. Michael J. Prongay AGE: 52 Colonia Michael J. Prongay passed away on Thursday, July 28, 2016 at his home in the Colonia section of Woodbridge Township. This is a high bar to clear. I needed more data. Cancer Cluster Probe at NJ HS Underway After 100+ Diagnosed With Brain Tumors, What Is Aphasia? The total minority enrollment is 53%, and 34% of students are economically disadvantaged. According to Fox News, getting scrutiny in the controversy is the now-closed Middlesex Sampling Plant, which is a half hour away from Colonia. 89. Middlesex County's Colonia High School, located in Woodbridge, has made national headlines in recent weeks after over 100 former students and facultywere found to have been diagnosed with rare brain tumors. 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. 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. 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. ", The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also said in a statement that it has "received information about the community's concerns related to Colonia High School and "will communicate with both the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Department of Health as they investigate the matter.". New Jersey dad fights to have daughter returned to the U.S. NJ state budget delivers another crushing blow to residents (Opinion), Equal Employment Opportunity Policy and EEO Report. As previously stated, there is basically one medically proven cause of rare brain tumors like ours radiation. 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. My wife was awesome, and I think about her every day I talk to her all the time, Wisinski said. T+M Associates, an environmental engineering firm, was asked to investigate a link between the school and brain cancer last month. State your name, what you were diagnosed with, when, and what year you graduated CHS or worked there. 100 stories of shock and disbelief with the diagnosis. These tumors usually grow at 1 mm per yearAt 3.6 cm, my AN tumor appeared to have grown at an unprecedented rate (I had an MRI of the neck and brain a few years earlier for an unrelated issue and the tumor was not present). Why Al Lupiano raised alarm over Colonia HS cancer links Is it a cancer cluster or a coincidence? It started in 1999 when Mr. Lupiano, then 27, was diagnosed with a noncancerous one. However, the agency accepts a greater responsibility for helping communities cope with this uncertainty and the lack of resolution that often characterizes these investigations. Is it a cancer cluster or a coincidence? He was 52 years old. I want someone else to go to.". "I started doing some research and the three became five, the five became seven, the seven became 15," Lupiano said. Ultimately, if it isnt a radiation source that is causing these illnesses, Lupiano says other tests can be done to pinpoint a cause. Facebook Colonia High School. For a community desperate for sense-making answers, it may be a bitter truth: There is more cancer around us than we can comprehend, and yet not enough to make scientific sense of. I have requested a discussion with the Department of Health, and if need be, we can involve the Federal agencies. The television station reported that testing is ongoing. People move in and out of town. 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. We need action! Earlier this year, officials claimed that penetrating radar tests on the grounds of Colonia High School concluded . Even before Mr. Lupianos list had reached 100 people, it had drawn the attention of local and national news media and had catalyzed public officials to act. Cancer survivor Al Lupiano says more than 100 former Colonia High School attendees have been diagnosed with rare cancers on 'Cross Country.'#FoxNews #CrossCo. Earlier this year, 1989 Colonia High School graduate Al Lupiano developed a list of more than 120 people who were students, teachers or staff members at the school from the 1970s to 1990s who have . Several news agencies have reached out to me and I anticipate the completed articles and interviews will be released shortly. At least one epidemiologist I spoke to for this article told me that, just glancing at the numbers, he wasnt surprised that public officials have determined Colonia was not a true cluster. She made it five years, said Jason Wisinski to the television station. 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