All rights reserved. What I find alarming is theres truly only one environmental link to primary brain tumors and thats ionizing radiation. The environmental testing is expected to last a month. I pray we find answers. "It's certainly concerning because the rate of primary brain tumors is certainly higher than what we would expect in the general population," said Dr. Arif Kamal, Chief Patient Officer at the American Cancer Society. I just felt like there were a lot of unanswered questions regarding the school, Komorek told NJ Advance Media. A cluster of over 100 rare brain tumors in the past 30 years sparks a health inspection at Colonia High School in New Jersey. One former student, Al Lupiano, 50, was diagnosed with brain tumors in the 1990s but subsequently recovered, according to NJ.com. They are leaving radon canisters at the school for 14 days, which will test for elevated levels of radon. There may need to be other steps taken. "I had told my sister from the very beginning that there was too much of a coincidence that me, my wife and her all have the same tumor," he said. Here are the details: The lists below show 4-year graduation rates for New Jersey public schools for the 2020-21 school year. Angela has four daughters who have or will go to Colonia High School. Both had graduated from Colonia High School, the news outlet reported. Our journalism needs your support. Other toxic elements and compounds could exist at the schools property due to presence of suspected fill material, potential illegal disposal of chemicals or contaminant migration from surrounding properties, Komorek stated in her letter. Woodbridge Township has contracted environmental engineering firm T&M Associates to carry out radiation tests at Colonia High School to investigate a possible link between the school and the reported brain tumors, according to New York news outlet WABC. Unfortunately, hers was terminal, and she died in February. He said he is specifically looking for anyone who graduated from or attend Colonia High School from approximately 1975 to 1995. She also requested the district embark on additional environmental testing. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. SOURCES:PEOPLE Magazine, CBS News New York, New York Post, NJ.com &Dr. Joe Whittington. Today, he still suffers lingering effects. Her sister, Cheryl Black also died from brain cancer in 2015. There's a lot of speculation running rampant about what could be causing this, but to date, there has been nothing found. "I went on Facebook on March 7, and I asked for the people on Facebook to help me find others. A graduate as recent as 2014 was found to have a primary brain tumor. "It's alarming because there are just so many people with a tumor - malignant or benign, and it's serious. The 50-year-old claims the diseases could be traced. Lupianos quest for information took him to Facebook last month, and that list of people who went to or worked at Colonia High School - and have a primary brain tumor - is now closing in on 100 cases. She said she collected a dust sample from the top of the stall in a womens bathroom inside Colonia on Aug. 30, then sent it to a state-certified laboratory in Mountainside for testing. His name is on it, along with his wife and late sister. Lupiano's quest for information took him to Facebook last month, and that list of people who went to or worked at Colonia High School - and have a primary brain tumor - is now closing in on 100 cases. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. These tumors are even more rare occurring in 10 out of 1,000,000 individuals.. Al Lupiano, an environmental scientist and a 1989 graduate of the N.J. high school began investigating Colonia High School in Woodbridge when he realized many others with ties to the school suffered the rare brain tumors, just like he did, 20 years ago. The environmental assessment study at Colonia High School was recently completed, in response to allegations that suggested the school had radiological hazards that contributed to diagnoses of brain tumors, cancers, and other central nervous disorders in former students and staff members. Is it a cancer cluster or just a coincidence? New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, Lawrence Township League of Women Voters announces 2022 leadership award winners, No criminal charges for Hillsborough police officer in 2021 fatal shooting, Vigil marks one-year anniversary of Ukrainian War. An alumnus of Colonia High School in Woodbridege, N.J. is investigating his former high school, claiming he has counted 115 people who attended or worked there to have had a rare brain tumor, according to CBS News. The community is absolutely unnerved and absolutely terrified by what's going on here. No one knows why. What treatments are available for the afflicted? As the school remains open during the investigation, some students are concerned. My MIL died of lung cancer. Over 122 people connected to Colonia High School were found to have brain tumors. So, would you take us through what is known so far about this cluster? No one knows exactly what it is. The results will then be reviewed by federal agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Environmental Protection Agency, plus the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Health. Please consider subscribing to NJ.com. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Dating back decades, newly detailed reports of more than 100 cases of brain tumors among former students and staff at Colonia High School in Woodbridge have raised obvious concerns. Image: Unsplash. Colonia High School: Environmentalists determining possible link between New Jersey school and brain tumors - ABC7 Chicago tumor Former students wonder if their brain tumors are. Also, just on Monday Gov. If you were affected or have a tumor or rare cancer, I need your assistance," his Facebook post read. All Rights Reserved. 100 former NJ high school students . He received his . Earlier this year, Al Lupiano, an environmental scientist and Colonia High School graduate, discovered more than 115 people who spent time at the school had a rare brain tumor. Is the school built on some kind of a dumpsite? That's what makes the numbers staggering," says Lupiano. All of the cases have ties to Colonia High School, either as students or employees. Exterior shots of Colonia High School in Colonia, NJ on Thursday, April 7, 2022. NEW JERSEY - A New Jersey man has uncovered a medical mystery apparently linking more than 100 people . The onset of brain tumors in more than one hundred people who attended or worked at Colonia High School in New Jersey has continued to baffle experts. This is also great news for all former students who attended and staff to work at CHS since it opened back in 1968., McCormac said they sympathize with anyone who has experienced brain tumors and brain cancers, especially those who lost loved ones to the terrible disease, but there is no cause-and-effect relation between those illnesses and the buildings or grounds at CHS.. Rohit Ranjan. Nsikan was previously at National Geographic where he worked as a science editor, overseeing its COVID-19 coverage in addition to other topics in science, health and technology. By pairing specialists and experts in the field of cancer with robust resources, facilities, and technologies, Hackensack Meridian Cancer Care is committed to getting patients back to the life they love. But public health experts are cautioning against deeming the tumor cases a "cancer cluster" just yet. There could be a real problem here, and our residents deserve to know if there are any dangers, Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac said, according to the outlet. 94 people from Colonia High School in Woodbridge, New Jersey are part of a cancer cluster of still unknown origin. Colonia High School A cluster of brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a single New Jersey high school is causing concern. A scientist and mother is demanding answers after tests she conducted found cancer-causing toxins and materials were present at the school where more than 100 former students have since been. The governor wont be embracing the bill despised by landlords and supported by tenant advocates. Mayor McCormac says the Environmental Protection Agency is now involved. "And if we do find something, we're going to deal with the consequences.". Gothamist is a website about New York City news, arts, events and food, brought to you by New York Public Radio. All three family members attended Colonia High, the NY Post noted. It's not air. Such odds help to explain the public surprise after NJ Advance Media reported in early April that New Jerseyans living in the neighboring communities of Woodbridge and Colonia have developed various forms of brain tumors. Topics you care about, straight to your inbox. "It is also important to note that the data compiled and posted to social media by Mr. Lupiano has yet to be evaluated and verified by any federal, state, county or municipal agency with competent jurisdiction to fully vet and verify his research. Unfortunately, that didnt happen.. His wife and sister found out on the same day last August - two hours apart. We will continue to keep you informed as we develop a plan of action based on the advice of our experts.. However, I still think we need to expedite the next phase of testing including water, soil, and air, to determine if more than one contaminant is present, he said. A Colonia High School alum said he found 107 people with brain tumors who went to or worked at the school. He said, What are the odds of this? It's exceeding one in a billion that three people this closely tied together would all have brain tumors. All rights reserved (About Us). It's not contaminated water. Both sisters were graduates of Colonia High School. Komorek was so alarmed by the findings that she decided to pull her daughters out of Colonia this week and enroll them in another Woodbridge high school, per the districts transfer policy. Listing for: Select Medical Corporation. WOODBRIDGE - Work is underway to create a portal for people with ties to Colonia High School who have developed brain tumors to share information with the New Jersey Department of Health. The testers are specifically testing for radon levels in the air after 1989 Colonia High School grad Al Lupiano proposed this theory that he found an unusually high number of brain cancers and brain tumors, and said they could be linked to the high school. 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. Brain cancer is relatively rare but very dangerous. Matthew Stanmyre | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, found no traces of radiological contaminants. Since . The environmental assessment study at Colonia High School was recently completed, in response to allegations that suggested the school had radiological hazards that contributed to diagnoses. "My wife fought like crazy. 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. We contacted the author of the post, former student and former resident Al Lupiano, and offered to help, McCormac said. Part Time, Per diem position. Lupiano said he started searching for instances of Colonia High graduates having brain tumors and was stunned to discover 15 people in total, with two newly discovered cases pending further . The incident rate for GBM is approximately 30 out of 1,000,000 people. Medical experts are urging caution but also advising that there is no need for residents to panic. Its not contaminated water. ', * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts, AccuWeather: AM showers before a mild afternoon, Extra Time: Breaking down massive NYC, NYPD settlement, Teammate facing charges in crash that killed local UGA player. Komorek, Lupiano and several other parents criticized the assessment which did not include taking soil or water samples for not being thorough enough to put their minds at ease, despite assurances from state Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette. Unfortunately, it turned out to be stage 4 glioblastoma. I made a promise to my sister while she was dying that if something did this to us, I will find out what did it, Lupiano says. In 1999, when he was just 27, Al. At the time, medium lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months. It motivated Lupiano to create a Facebook group to determine if there were more Colonia High School alumni had developed brain tumors or other conditions. ", "We are taking this incredibly seriously," Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac told Patch earlier this April, saying that he finds Lupiano's theory "quite credible and legitimate. Some of these are non-cancerous, yet very debilitating forms of brain tumor. It has been lightly edited for clarity. "I need your help Facebook. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). We have to really take a look at it," said Woodbridge Township Mayor John McCormac. Lupiano told CBS News New York that"Fast forward to August of last year My sister received the news she had a primary brain tumor, herself. Lupiano has been able to confirm that 94 former students and staff of Colonia High School had developed brain tumors, as per coverage in New York Post. McCormac says last Saturday, environmentalists placed random canisters inside the school to collect air samples. The school was built in 1967 and currently serves roughly 1,300 students, the NY Post noted. That is the question residents are hoping to answer in the Colonia section of Woodbridge. Environmental scientist Al Lupiano is among 94 former students and staff from Colonia High School in Woodbridge, New Jersey, who have been diagnosed with rare brain tumors. Follow him on Twitter @MattStanmyre. In May, the district and state announced an environmental assessment of all 28 acres in and around Colonia found no traces of radiological contaminants and the school was deemed safe for students and staff. That is what Al Lupiano, Colonia High School (CHS) Class of 1989, wants to find out after . "In addition, DEP's further review does not indicate sources of environmental exposures of concern to public health. Thanks to social media, Lupiano found a total of 104 former students and faculty with brain tumors - about half are cancerous. The mother of two Colonia High students who believed not enough environmental testing was done in the aftermath of reports of a possible brain tumor cluster connected to the school told NJ Advance Media she has found evidence of highly toxic chemicals at Colonia through her own independent testing. I could go on. 100 PEOPLE WITH RARE TUMORS WHO ATTENDED SAME NEW JERSEY HIGH SCHOOL DEMAND ANSWERS The 110 people that Lupiano has counted on his list of former Colonia High School graduates have been. 2023 New York Public Radio. Kamal added that there needs to be a full investigation to understand if these cancers are linked, and if there's a specific cause. By Sean Adams, WCBS Newsradio 880. Over 1,300 cases have been reported of people getting sick after eating the Lucky Charms cereal. But even more rare was the fact that his wife and sister later found out that they had similar medical conditions. Donate today, Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations. Facebook Colonia High School A cluster of brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a single New Jersey high school is causing concern. My list quickly started multiplyingit all seemed to be linked back to the high school. Colonia High School graduateAl Lupiano talks to @KatyTurNBC about gathering names of over 80 individuals with rare brain tumors who attended the school. Officials are looking for potential radiation at the school. Mar 30, 2022 The Wanted's Tom Parker Dies at 33 After Brain Tumor Battle Al Lupiano, a graduate of the high school, believes there's a link between Colonia High School and brain. How did this incident come to light in the first place? In a statement to CBS News, Lupiano said he is anxiously awaiting the results of the two-week-long radiological survey which concluded this weekend and he anticipates he will receive the results in weeks. The New Jersey state Department of Health. BSN or must obtain within 3 years. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Most of them during the years of 1972 to 2000, said Matthew Stanmyre with NJ Advance Media, who broke the news. They learned of their tumors just eight days apart, while Janice was pregnant with her and Jason's only child. Our sister station WABC-TV has reached out to the EPA for comment. A single New Jersey man has uncovered a medical mystery apparently linking 100 people diagnosed with rare cancers or tumors to a Woodbridge high school. The soil also tested positive for excessive levels of chlordane, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide all pesticides, the report said. ", First Patch report: Brain Tumor Link To Colonia High School 'Credible,' Town's Mayor Says, Get great local news about YOUR town and state. Youre 98.6, youre fine, go home. But I want to be careful to say that it's very early in the investigation. The Daily Caller | 1775 Eye Street NW | Suite 1150-290 | Washington, DC 20006, (RELATED: Video Shows Man Repeatedly Running Over Woman With SUV After Minor Incident). NJ cluster of brain cancer prompts investigation, We rely on your support to make local news available to all, Astoria pool will be closed this summer for renovations: Parks, Gov. His wife Michelle graduated in 1991. In April, the township entered an emergency agreement with T&M Associates, of Middletown, for professional environmental engineering services for a radiological assessment of Colonia High in an amount not to exceed $221,350. Komorek said the results of her testing indicate state environmental officials should conduct further tests of the air, soil and building compounds at Colonia. Obviously, everyone's praying and hoping for the best," said Colonia High School junior Julia Pagnozzi. All Rights Reserved. In a mysterious story, a man from New Jersey named Al Lupiano found out that 100 people with uncommon cancers were linked to Woodbridge Township School District, Colonia High School. Print |. Early testing at the Woodbridge school by a consultant for the . Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac immediately and responsibly got engaged. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Lupiano, an environmental scientist, began researching the matter and reaching out to people on Facebook who had attended the school and been diagnosed with primary brain tumors. Lupiano, his wife Michele (CHS Class of 1991) and his sister Angela (CHS Class of 1995) were all diagnosed with rare, similar sized brain tumors on the left side. Newsweek has reached out to Colonia High School and McCormac. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. If you are an alumni or staff member of Colonia High School and have developed a brain tumor, contact MLG today! The city of Woodbridge, NJ is conducting an investigation after more than 100 former students and staff at the local Colonia High School were found to have developed brain . Ninety-four former staff members and students from Colonia High School in Woodbridge, New Jersey, have developed an extremely rare form of malignant brain tumor, leading local officials to approve an emergency probe of the school Tuesday. Federal Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry. Its not something done to us due to bad habits, Lupiano told CBS News. Are you a Colonia High School graduate that has been diagnosed with a brain tumor? Dr. Gracelyn Santos | gsantos@siadvance.com. "There's lots and lots of people calling me, saying, 'Look, I didn't go to the high school, but I live a mile away, and we call our block cancer alley,'" he told Fox News. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). You can find glioblastoma, which are terminal. Robert Miller The investigation was jumpstarted after it was discovered more 122 people once connected to. This is definitely not normal.. The sudden death of his sister led Lupiano on a research mission about the rare brain tumors. The township announced results of an investigation. "I started doing some research and the three became five, the five became seven, the seven became 15," Lupiano said. Theres no telling if they're going to find answers here. They were diagnosed on the same day last summer. A few weeks ago, we very suddenly and tragically lost my 44-year-old sister Angela (CHS-95) to a very rare and highly aggressive malignant glioma brain tumor (Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)) discovered on her left side, he wrote in the newsletter. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Earlier this year, Colonia graduate Al Lupiano, also an environmental scientist, discovered more than 100 teachers and alums of the school who reported having brain tumors, drawing international attention to the community and sparking state and local investigations. Jason Wisinski is another person affected by the spate of tumor cases. At that time, I only had 15 people on the list, and I decided after grieving for a few weeksit was time now to go public and ask people to help me.. Three weeks later, Komorek collected a caulk sample from a northern exterior wall of the school and sent it to another state-certified lab in Fairfield. Township officials have posted the radiological reports on the township website at www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us. Lupiano said the rarity of the brain tumors raised concerns of the neurologist they shared since they all grew up in relatively the same neighborhood. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Asking them to be patient for several more weeks is unacceptable. "I am beyond pleased to announce that after an extensive field investigation that included assessing the classrooms, school building materials, and the entire 28 acres of the Colonia High School campus, no radiological hazards were identified that warrant further investigation," he wrote in a letter to families. Dr. Joseph Massimino, superintendent of Woodbridge Township School District has commented that they are waiting for more details and formulating next steps, in coordination with New Jersey environmental agencies. An investigation has been launched after more than 100 people who attended a high. Whittington believes that the Colonia High School students and staff have developed glioblastoma multiforme, a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumor that invades the nearby brain tissue. Environmental engineering firm T+M Associates has been contracted by the township to test for radiation on the grounds of the high school, which was built in 1967. The Anti-Defamation League said the phrase at the center of the question was popularized as a trolling campaign by members of 4chan a notorious anonymous message board and was adopted by . As of April 11, Lupiano wrote on this personal Facebook page that he now has tracked about 100 people with rare brain tumors and they all are either Colonia High School graduates or worked in the school building. 100 former students, staff of Colonia High School in New Jersey say they have rare brain tumors. Is it a cancer cluster or a coincidence? COLONIA, New Jersey (WABC) -- An investigation into the possible link between a Central New Jersey school and cases of brain cancer found no radiological hazards that warranted further investigation, the district superintendent said Thursday. Both parents of children in school and current teachers and staff deserve answers. He said in 40 years of neurology, he had never heard of a married couple that both had the same type of primary brain tumor. Lupiano has confirmed that he will not stop until he finds out what has happened here over the years at Colonia High School. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. A man investigating his former high school in New Jersey says he has counted 115 people who attended or worked there have had a rare brain tumor. She made it five years.". Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2023. The reports he got back were startling, and he saw patterns emerging. Lupiano's sister passed away in February, 2022 at the young age of 44. The testing was prompted after township officials learned of various social media posts related to several instances of brain tumors and brain cancer among students and faculty of CHS from . I started doing some research and the three became five, the five became seven, the seven became 15, he told CBS News York of the list, which now totals 115 people who had either malignant or benign tumors. "The EPA and CDC are not testing at Colonia High School," said Hagerty. I don't trust anyone who says that nuclear plant was safe. Dr. Marc Siegel discusses brain tumors that emerged among former Colonia High School students on 'Tucker Carlson Tonight.' Local and federal environmental agencies say they are assisting. The school is expected to remain open during this time. When it didnt happen, Komorek who earned a joint degree in environmental science from Rutgers and New Jersey Institute of Technology and specializes in air, ground water and soil contamination took matters into her own hands. Environmental scientist Al Lupiano tells NBC4 New . "Woodbridge Township contacted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the CDC, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) (which is part of CDC), and the state Department of Health last week, and we've begun initial discussions with them.". Environmental engineers have been testing for radiation at Colonia High School in New Jersey after reports that over 100 former students and staff members were diagnosed with brain tumors. ET: The spelling of Michele DeCillis has been corrected. "In conclusion, the results of the radiological investigation at the high school and grounds are within the normal variation of background radiation levels in New Jersey and are therefore not indicative of concern over radiological exposure to individuals at the site," state DEP Commisioner Shawn LaTourette wrote in a letter to the township. Others are benign and very slow-growing that are going to use a different kind of treatment altogether. Colonia High School is now the subject of radiation detecting research. Two hours later, we received information that my wife also had a primary brain tumor, Lupiano said. The results indicated PCBs at concentration of 50,500 mg/kg, exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulatory level of 50 mg/kg, according to the report. Lupiano was diagnosed with glioblastoma (brain cancer) when he was 27 years old, about 25 years ago. He has contacted: Mayor McCormac confirmed these details yesterday to PEOPLE Magazine. I know so many people who have ailments and cancer specifically who lived near there. He was diagnosed 20 years ago. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. The ground and air testing will begin on Saturday. Last year, Lupianos wife and sister also developed brain tumors, as first reported byCBS New York. I will not rest until I have answers. Advocates, for months, implored state and local officials to undertake more testing. The investigation started earlier this year after a stunning number of cancer cases in people who had a connection to the school. LOS ANGELES (AP) More than a week after Tom Sizemore suffered a brain aneurysm, a representative says the actor's family is "now deciding end of life matters." "Today, doctors informed . It should also be noted that not all the reports of primary brain tumors are cancerous.
Morris Catholic High School Football,
Archer Western Traylor Brothers,
Pokeclicker Hacked Save,
Articles C