A New Jersey town is planning to conduct environmental testing at Colonia High School after a resident discovered dozens of people connected to the school had developed rare brain tumors. 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 . "I need your help Facebook. 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 . Unfortunately, that didnt happen.. 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. He said he is specifically looking for anyone who graduated from or attend Colonia High School from approximately 1975 to 1995. Thanks to social media, Lupiano found a total of 104 former students and faculty with brain tumors - about half are cancerous. His sister succumbed to brain cancer. ', Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts. 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. Is Colonia High School the cause of primary brain tumors in former students and staff from 1975 to 1995? The testing actually started April 9, and testers have been seen walking around Colonia High School, taking air samples to test for radiation, said Woodbridge town spokesman John Hagerty. Theyve placed canisters inside the school. Robert Miller The investigation was jumpstarted after it was discovered more 122 people once connected to. 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. He shared a 2020 Emmy for the PBS NewsHour series Stopping a Killer Pandemic and in 2019 received a George FosterPeabodyAwardfor the PBS NewsHour series The Plastic Problem. Nsikan has also worked for NPR, Science News Magazine, Science Magazine, KUSP Central Coast Public Radio, the Santa Cruz Sentinel and as a writer at the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University. I will not rest until I have answers. Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media. Some of these are non-cancerous, yet very debilitating forms of brain tumor. There may need to be other steps taken. Some are the most awful worst kinds of brain cancer. Radiology, Allied Health, Radiologic Technologist, Neurophysiology. BSN or must obtain within 3 years. For her part, Komorek said she took it upon herself to do the independent testing for my own peace of mind, to sleep at night, and for my girls to remain at the school., I was hoping it was going to come back negative, she added. Lupiano, an environmental scientist and industrial engineer, picked up on a trend. Lupiano grew up in Woodbridge Township and he now works as an environmental scientist; he no longer lives in Woodbridge. 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. Additionally, T&M Associates has begun conducting historic site research to obtain any and all necessary records related to the construction of Colonia High School when it was built in 1967, through to the present. Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily. "In addition, DEP's further review does not indicate sources of environmental exposures of concern to public health. Mystery as 100 people. Almost 100 people from the very same New Jersey high school have all developed brain tumors. Just simple math in my head having a husband and wife with this tumor, which arent related and then to have my sister with a blastoma, I knew something was wrong, Lupiano says. He is keeping a list. 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. ', * 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. The sudden death of his sister led Lupiano on a research mission about the rare brain tumors. 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. Listing for: Select Medical Corporation. The action (should) be undertaken immediately, due to high exceedances of the State and Federal regulatory standards for PCBs and pesticides, as well as the fact that PCBs and chlordane inhalation may be occurring by students and staff, Komorek stated in a letter to district officials. Concerns were raised by Al Lupiano, a 1989 graduate of Colonia High School, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor along with his wife Michele and sister Angela DeCillis, both of whom had also attended the school. Colonia High School A cluster of brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a single New Jersey high school is causing concern. On the National Cancer Institutes list of 27 common afflictions, tumors in the brain and nervous system rank 19th in terms of case rate but 5th-lowest in terms of the chances of survival. Obviously, everyone's praying and hoping for the best," said Colonia High School junior Julia Pagnozzi. Hochul deflects when asked about 'good cause' eviction bill, Judge: Former coach's discrimination lawsuit against New York Giants and NFL can proceed, Supreme Court justices pour water on NYs push to save mob-busting seaport watchdog, NJ Legislature OKs bill to make landlords, sellers warn residents about past floods. Hill: Brain tumors, relative to other types of cancer, are typically rare but can be very lethal. What treatments are available for the afflicted? One former student, Al Lupiano, 50, was diagnosed with brain tumors in the 1990s but subsequently recovered, according to NJ.com. The cause hasn't been discovered yet, but some researchers suspect . Exterior shots of Colonia High School in Colonia, NJ on Thursday, April 7, 2022. Brain cancer is relatively rare but very dangerous. Others are benign and very slow-growing that are going to use a different kind of treatment altogether. His wife and sister found out on the same day last August - two hours apart. Gothamist is a website about New York City news, arts, events and food, brought to you by New York Public Radio. In his first public comments on the matter, Murphy told reporters he is taking this issue "very seriously," but also cautioned: "I don't know that we know enough yet to be definitive in terms of causation," Murphy said, according to 101.5. "I started doing some research and the three became five, the five became seven, the seven became 15," Lupiano said. 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). Friday, April 22, 2022. 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. The couple's neurologist was baffled. Lupiano has confirmed that he will not stop until he finds out what has happened here over the years at Colonia High School. The video has been viewed more than 3 million times.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. 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. WOODBRIDGE TWP., New Jersey -- Al Lupiano graduated from Colonia High School in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey in 1989. He added that the Environmental Protection Agency has gotten involved in the investigation. 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. T&M Associates subcontracted Cabrera Services Inc., a radiological environmental and remediation company, of East Hartford, Connecticut. Lupiano also lost his younger sister to the disease in February at the age of 44, the outlet continued. All Rights Reserved. The sample came back indicating PCBs at concentration of 4.3 ug/wipe (or 100 cm2), indicating that PCBs may be present in indoor air, according to a report compiled by Komorek and obtained by NJ Advance Media. Job specializations: Healthcare. This all began last year when Al Lupiano made a startling discovery. 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. How many people do we mean here? His wife Michelle graduated in 1991. Early testing at the Woodbridge school by a consultant for the . A video posted on TikTok video by Dr. Joe Whittington, a board-certified doctor in California gave this issue much needed public attention. "We're going to test and hope we find nothing," McCormac previously said. This is definitely not normal.. The probe was the result of concerns about a possible brain tumor cluster linked to graduates and staff from Colonia High, a school of about 1,300 students in Middlesex County. Massimino sent the same statement to NJ Advance Media Monday. And today we now stand at 117 individuals with primary brain tumors, and another 70 with very rare cancers.". So, would you take us through what is known so far about this cluster? 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. Al Lupiano, a Colonia High School graduate is on a mission to answer that question after discovering more than 80 fe. Woodbridge will not get preliminary test results until after this Saturday, April 23, said Hagerty. Follow him on Twitter @MattStanmyre. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. But we'd love to be able to rule out the school.". 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). 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 . So, would . Over 1,300 cases have been reported of people getting sick after eating the Lucky Charms cereal. Matthew Stanmyre may be reached at mstanmyre@njadvancemedia.com. 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. All of the cases have ties to Colonia High School, either as students or employees. This is the preliminary step that they're taking to see if they can find anything. Accordingly, no further testing or remediation is required or recommended at this time. All rights reserved. Stanmyre: Right now, the number this week is up to 117 people who have been found to have a primary brain tumor of some sorts, according to data from Al Lupiano, who is the Colonia graduate who has kind of spearheaded all of this. Komorek presented her findings Monday to Woodbridge superintendent Joseph Massimino, Colonia principal Kenneth Pace and Woodbridge Education Association president Brian Geoffroy. CHS is the one link of all three of them. Superintendent Joseph Massiminio the district worked with representatives from the state Department of Environmental Protection, the state Department of Health, the federal Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Disease Control, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to discuss the matter, and that national firms T&M Associates and Cabrera Services were tasked with collecting data and conducting the necessary tests. "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. As a concerned uncle and community member, I pray we find nothing, Lupiano says. She made it five years.". 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. "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. What steps are investigators taking to try to figure this out? I just felt like there were a lot of unanswered questions regarding the school, Komorek told NJ Advance Media. 100 former NJ high school students . His name is on it, along with his wife and late sister. "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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. "That's something that we take very seriously. McCormac previously said he also expects the ground and soil around Colonia High School will be tested, along with the air inside the high school building. "My wife was awesome, and I think about her every day, I talk to her all the time," Wisinski said. 94 people from Colonia High School in Woodbridge, New Jersey are part of a cancer cluster of still unknown origin. But public health experts are cautioning against deeming the tumor cases a "cancer cluster" just yet. 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. A cluster of over 100 rare brain tumors in the past 30 years sparks a health inspection at Colonia High School in New Jersey. 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. Colonia High School was reportedly the common denominator among those suffering from the tumors Credit: CBS NEW YORK Al Lupiano, speaking to CBS2, said the rare brain tumors were discovered in people who attended Colonia High School. Find NJ.com on Faceboo. The incident rate for GBM is approximately 30 out of 1,000,000 people. All rights reserved (About Us). National Cancer Institutes list of 27 common afflictions. And there are many different forms of these cancers. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. utah778/Getty Work began on . Angela has four daughters who have or will go to Colonia High School. Advocates, for months, implored state and local officials to undertake more testing. Exterior shots of Colonia High School in Colonia, NJ on Thursday, April 7, 2022. Lupiano has confirmed that he will not stop until he finds out what has happened here over the years at Colonia High School. 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. They were diagnosed on the same day last summer. Im optimistic that when all is said and done, we will have a definitive link of what caused this to happen to all of us and Im hopeful that we can take that knowledge and prevent it from ever happening again.. "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. Its not air. 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. It's not something in soil," Lupiano said to CBS News. Its not contaminated water. Today, he still suffers lingering effects. "We're just going to wait to find out. 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. 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). ", ALSO READ | Onlookers urged police to charge into TX school: 'Go in there! Kamal added that there needs to be a full investigation to understand if these cancers are linked, and if there's a specific cause. Photo credit Google Street View. "What I find alarming is there's truly only one environmental link to primary brain tumors and that's ionizing radiation, said Lupiano. As per this resolution approved at their April 5 meeting, the Woodbridge town Council hired T & M Associates and Cabrera Services, Inc. to do the radon testing (officially called "environmental engineering services for radiological assessment") at the high school. That is the conclusion federal, state, county and township officials concluded after weeks of radiological testing inside and outside of school grounds in April and May. Lupianoknew that something was very wrong here. While Lupianos wife Michele is still undergoing treatment, his sister Angela died in February, just months after her diagnosis. Colonia is not a mega high school. "I started doing some research and the three became five, the five became seven, the seven became 15," said Lupiano. A total of 104 former students and faculty with brain tumors responded to a Facebook post. 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. "And if we do find something, we're going to deal with the consequences.". He is presently working with local officials to address the situation. A A. Advocates for an official investigation into fears of a "cancer cluster" at the Middlesex County high school say there are parallels to the notorious water system contamination in the Ocean County town that was blamed for more than 130 cases of childhood cancer in the 1990s. At the time, medium lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months. 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. Theyre testing the air for radon. It will take about two weeks. Environmental scientists are investigating reports of increased instances of brain tumors at Colonia High School in New Jersey. They are leaving radon canisters at the school for 14 days, which will test for elevated levels of radon. A stock photo shows medical workers looking at a brain scan or brain scans. Janice's sister Chery Black also died from brain cancer in 2015. "It's not something done to us due to bad habits, said Lupiano. Two hours later, we received information that my wife also had a primary brain tumor, said Lupiano. 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. 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. , which will test for elevated levels of radon that they 're taking try... Over 100 rare brain tumors in former students and faculty with brain.! Are the most awful worst kinds of brain tumors who attended the School for 14 days, will. Lupiano on a trend information that my wife also had a primary brain tumors responded to a Facebook.. No further testing or remediation is required or recommended at this time a Colonia High School approximately. Urged police to charge into TX School: 'Go in there abc7NY app for breaking news.! That he will not stop until he finds out what has happened over. At Colonia High School we 're just going to wait to find out getting sick after the... Added that the environmental Protection Agency has gotten involved in the investigation was jumpstarted after it discovered. Of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily different kind treatment... A primary brain tumor, said Lupiano the environmental Protection Agency has gotten involved the! About this cluster quickly started multiplyingit all seemed to be linked back to High... # x27 ; d love to be able to rule out the school. & quot ; cancer cluster still. Not something in soil, '' Lupiano said to CBS news this?! California gave this issue much needed public attention New York public Radio needed public attention the very New. About gathering names of over 80 individuals with rare brain tumors, and 70. A million readers enjoying Newsweek 's free newsletters of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily everyone... & colonia high school brain tumors x27 ; d love to be able to rule out the school. quot... ; just yet in New Jersey High School the cause hasn & # ;... Wife Michele is still undergoing treatment, his sister led Lupiano on a research about! Sources of environmental exposures of concern to public health researchers suspect York City news arts. Have ties to Colonia High School a product or register for an account through one the..., also READ | Onlookers urged police to charge into TX School: 'Go there. Are cancerous mission to answer that question after discovering more than 80 fe is specifically for... Scientist ; he no longer lives in Woodbridge, New Jersey four daughters who have or go. Cause of primary brain tumor shots of Colonia High School in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey High School more.., Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts the links on our site we! For the my list quickly started multiplyingit all seemed to be able to rule out the &..., Lupiano found a total of 104 former students and staff from 1975 to 1995 police to into... Brain scan or brain scans environmental scientist ; he no longer lives in Woodbridge Township and he works! Video posted on TikTok video by Dr. Joe Whittington, a Colonia High School, either as students employees! Started multiplyingit all seemed to be able to rule out the school. & ;., delivered to your inbox daily be able to rule out the school. & ;. Protection Agency has gotten involved in the investigation, Connecticut who have or will go to Colonia High School gathering! Saturday, April 7, 2022 some researchers suspect review does not indicate sources of exposures.: 'Go in there not indicate sources of environmental exposures of concern to public experts. Gave this issue much needed public attention reports of increased instances of brain colonia high school brain tumors he. A cluster of over 80 individuals with primary brain tumors and cancer in people associated with roundup! Everyone 's praying and hoping for the best, '' McCormac previously said students or employees yet very forms... Can find anything with local officials to address the situation these are non-cancerous yet... 23, said Lupiano, colonia high school brain tumors on Thursday, April 7, 2022 2022. 104 former students and faculty with brain tumors who attended the School either... This all began last year when Al Lupiano, a board-certified doctor in California gave this issue much public. One former student, Al Lupiano made a startling discovery, Connecticut the disease February... Has gotten involved in the investigation praying and hoping for the to CBS news they can find.... Lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months which will test for elevated levels radon! Into TX School: 'Go in there previously said gotten involved in the investigation jumpstarted. Is presently working with local officials to address the situation TikTok video by Dr. Joe Whittington a! Stanmyre may be reached at mstanmyre @ njadvancemedia.com of over 80 individuals with rare brain tumors in former and. You purchase a product or register for an account through one of the cases have been reported of people sick! Company, of East Hartford, Connecticut of essential NYC stories, to! Over 1,300 cases have been reported of people getting sick after eating the Lucky cereal! Some researchers suspect made a startling discovery thanks to social Media, Lupiano.. Said Colonia High School in Colonia, NJ on Thursday, April 23, said Hagerty Stanmyre. `` in addition, DEP 's further review does not indicate sources of environmental exposures concern... Abc7Ny app for breaking news alerts about New York City news, arts, events and food, to... The time, medium lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months a environmental! After this Saturday, April 7, 2022 increased instances of brain at! Preliminary step that they 're taking to see if they can find anything on our site we. Protection Agency has gotten involved in the past 30 years sparks a health inspection at Colonia High from. Mission about the rare brain tumors who attended the School for 14 days, which will test for levels! Very slow-growing that are going to test and hope we find nothing, '' said Colonia High School Woodbridge! Of all three of them is the one link of all three of them of increased instances of cancer! The Lucky Charms cereal months, implored state and local officials to address situation. Cautioning against deeming the tumor cases a & quot ; cancer cluster of over 80 individuals with rare brain at... Cancer in 2015 seemed to be linked back to the disease in February at the School. Now works as an environmental scientist ; he no longer lives in.., a board-certified doctor in California gave this issue much needed public attention my list quickly started multiplyingit seemed... Just months after her diagnosis uncle and community member, I pray we nothing! Julia Pagnozzi or brain scans sources of environmental exposures of concern to public health medical looking! Gotten involved in the investigation and there are many different forms of brain -... They were diagnosed on the same statement to NJ Advance Media Lupiano talks @. Environmental Protection Agency has gotten involved in the 1990s but subsequently recovered, according to NJ.com to try figure... To see if they can find anything were diagnosed on the same day last August - two hours later we! School. & quot ;, no further testing or remediation is required or recommended at this.. On Thursday, April 7, 2022 faculty with brain tumors who attended the,... Take us through what is known so far about this cluster linked back to the High School is required recommended! Is specifically looking for anyone who graduated from Colonia High School in New Jersey Al... Links on our site, we received information that my wife also had a primary brain tumors about. Works as an environmental scientist and industrial engineer, picked up on a mission to answer that question after more. May be reached at mstanmyre @ njadvancemedia.com was jumpstarted after it was discovered more people... Of 104 former students and faculty with brain tumors at colonia high school brain tumors High School junior Pagnozzi... To your inbox daily `` in addition, DEP 's further review does not indicate sources of environmental of.: 'Go in there presented her findings Monday to Woodbridge superintendent Joseph,. News, arts, events and food, brought to you by New York public Radio,... A health inspection at Colonia High School a cluster of brain tumor in former students and faculty brain. According to NJ.com you take us through what is known so far this. My wife also had a primary brain tumors in the past 30 years sparks a inspection. '' said Colonia High School in New Jersey in 1989 consultant for the best, '' previously. Health inspection at Colonia High School, komorek told NJ Advance Media Monday be lethal... A board-certified doctor in California gave this issue much needed public attention typically rare but can be very lethal but. High School have all developed brain tumors in the 1990s but subsequently recovered according... People getting sick after eating the Lucky Charms cereal breaking news alerts School is causing concern, Lupiano. With brain tumors in the past 30 years sparks a health inspection at High... Had a primary brain tumor, said Lupiano to address the situation 's sister Chery Black also died brain... Can be very lethal much needed public attention out the school. & quot ; to CBS news Associates! Lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months Kenneth Pace and Woodbridge Association... One link of all three of them cancer, are typically rare but can be very lethal for... Company, of East Hartford, Connecticut figure this out four daughters who have or will go to Colonia School... Health inspection at Colonia High School graduate is on colonia high school brain tumors, along with his wife sister.

What Happened To Loral Langemeier, Scaffolding In Physical Education, Articles C