The results of this survey were eagerly awaited by former students and staff of Colonia High School, suffering from various forms of brain cancer including glioblastoma, the most aggressive and deadly form of the disease. But after suspicions arose around leaks from a former uranium plant near the school, officials from the state Department of Environmental Protection announced that there was no no evidence of harmful radiation on the school.
“Today we are very pleased to report that our extensive testing for radon and radiation inside and outside the school building has produced no evidence of cancer causing hazards warranting investigation. further“said township mayor John McCormac.
“This is great news for current Colonia High School students.“, he continued. “And their parents who were concerned for their safety as well as current members of staff and this is great news for all former students who have attended and staff who have worked at Colonia High School since it opened in 1968.”
In April 2022, Al Lupiano, a former student now 50 years old, had alerted on social networks to multiple cases of brain cancer in his family. “My sister found out she had a primary brain tumor. Unfortunately, it turned out to be stage 4 glioblastoma. Two hours later we learned that my wife also had a primary brain tumor“, he told CBS New York. If he is now cured of his brain tumor, his sister died in early 2022, at the age of 44. After sharing the diagnosis on his social networks, Al Lupiano then received almost a hundred messages from former school friendswho also have brain cancer.
The radioactive contamination at the origin of these tumors ruled out
At the time the cases came to light, fears had grown around a former nuclear bomb development site, located about 17km from the school, and the fact that uranium could have contaminated water and soil. A radioactive rock was also present on the school grounds for three decades, before being removed in the 1990s. According to experts, being exposed to high levels of radiation and having a weakened immune system are a risk factor for brain cancer.
Nevertheless, the analyzes carried out for more than a month – boxes have been placed within the establishment in order to collect air samples, and others in the ground, to possibly detect possible excesses of the levels of radiation – showed no evidence of higher than normal levels of radiation on the school campus. “We sympathize with all those who have suffered brain tumors and brain cancers, especially those who have lost loved ones to this terrible disease, but there is no causal relationship between these diseases and Colonia High School building or grounds“, said the mayor in a communicated.
Experts indicate that these cases of brain cancer would rather be due to age, and that they would be expected in a age group of this size in any school in the country.
Sources:
- Former Woodbridge, NJ resident says people who either attended or worked at Colonia High School have had rare brain tumors, CBS New YorkMarch 30, 2022
- Radiation testing at Colonia High School amid brain cancer cluster, Fox5April 19, 2022
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