When childrens health and lives are at stake, we have a right to demand your full attention and transparency.". We all of us attended Colonia High School. 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. 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 . Al Lupiano, a graduate of Colonia High School, tells Fox News Digital that since posting his theory about an apparent link between brain tumor diagnoses in 1990s and early 2000s graduates of . Casey returns to the Senate after cancer surgery 11 hours ago . And suddenly, it hit me! Ten L Man High School. The clients have to pay for the remediation. Updated Apr 17, 2022 at 4:10pm. What happened in Woodbridge illustrates the need for these changes, especially those aimed at bolstering the relationship between a concerned community and the public health experts facing the difficult task of investigating a suspected cluster. Federal investigations take place: An investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency is being done to determine whether these 100-plus cases are a cancer cluster, or simply a coincidence, Fox News reported. Humans are awash in potential cancer-causing agents, and it is practically impossible to determine the cause of a given case. "We immediately contacted our environmental consultants, the health department of the Township of Woodbridge, and township officials to review the information. In the case of Colonia High School, many of these valid limitations apply. Why is this alarming? They can find reasons to doubt. However, 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. Something Is Wrong Here. More Than 100 Local Residents Had Brain Tumors, but What Was the Cause? 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. Brian Thompson reports. Earlier:Some in Colonia not satisfied after no radiological hazards found at school. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Lupiano started the quest for answers, using Facebook to compile similar cases of people who worked or were students at Colonia High School. 100 stories of shock and disbelief with the diagnosis. "They kind of understand," Komorek said, adding her children have to start over with new classes, teachers and schoolmates. WOODBRIDGE - Results are expected in a few weeks from recent soil and air testing at Colonia High School, following last month's finding of toxic chemicals linked to cancer and pesticides . Al Lupiano was diagnosed with a "very rare" and abnormally large brain tumor in 1999 when he was 27 called Acoustic Neuroma. 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. In 1999, I too was diagnosed with a very rare brain tumor on my left side. 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. The high school was evacuated and a HAZMAT team secured the rock in a lead-lined box. Three weeks ago, I made a promise to my beloved sister on her deathbed I will uncover the truth! Why Al Lupiano raised alarm over Colonia HS cancer links, Is it a cancer cluster or a coincidence? The township does not have records dating back to 55 years ago, the site noted. It started in 1999 when Mr. Lupiano, then 27, was diagnosed with a noncancerous one. State your name, what you were diagnosed with, when, and what year you graduated CHS or worked there. The numbers of primary brain tumors continues (unfortunate) to rise as the story has gone national. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. "We absolutely have concerns, the Democrat told NJ.com. So, if you wish to help, please help me get the word out. Audrey Conklin is a digital reporter for Fox News Digital and FOX Business. Please, look at this. V Trng Ton High School. Was it the street or neighborhood where we grew up linking us? We need answers! Hng Vng High School. '", Al Lupiano was diagnosed with a "very rare" and abnormally large brain tumor in 1999 when he was 27 called Acoustic Neuroma. "This is only the tip of the iceberg. This is an urgent call for actionI have two leads I am exploring on what may have caused this, but I need your help! Lupiano was diagnosed with a rare and abnormally large brain tumour Acoustic Neuroma (AN) in 1999 when he was just 27 years old. "That was a red flag," said Komorek who also collected a caulk sample from outside the school and soil samples, both of which also came back for PCBs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a true cancer cluster must be a greater-than-expected number of cancer cases of the same type of cancer or those proven to have the same cause, within a specific population over a set time. Why? T+M Associates, an environmental engineering firm, was asked to investigate a link between the school and brain cancer last month. There are PCBs everywhere," he said. A cluster of brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a single New Jersey high school is causing concern. 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. I will not rest until I find the answer! Beyond the adoption of genomic testing, which might identify a telltale genetic signature among patients with the same kind of cancer, no technological fix yet promises to address these problems. Lupiano, his wife . To report that your child will be absent or late, call the Attendance Hotline: (732) 726-7040 We need them to investigate the issue and if possible, deal with the cause. 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. Of the estimated 1,000 suspected cancer clusters reported to health departments each year, only a small fraction prove to be statistically significant cancer surges. The soil sample also contained some pesticides. At the time, medium lifespan for her type of tumor was 18 months. "If we saw anything that said the school or the grounds were not safe, we would do something instantly. NJ high school linked to mystery cancer cases. 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. Here's What to Know About Bruce Willis' Diagnosis, The Wanted's Tom Parker Dies at 33 After Brain Tumor Battle, Next Winter Storm May Bring Even More Snow to NYC Area This Week: What to Know. Radiological assessments will be conducted throughout the . The brain tumor cases, appearing over a thirty-year period, are a significant medical mystery that has caused alarm for experts. Could that be the link? 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. The situation first came to light after Colonia High School alumnus Al Lupiano identified at least 104 former students and staff who suffered from rare brain tumors and cancer. "I wasn't happy and I knew that they didn't do enough sampling, didn't test soil, groundwater tests for PCBs," Komorek said. Whatever the city decides to do, Komorek said she hopes it goes beyond the tests they already performed. Al Lupiano, a graduate of Colonia High School, tells Fox News Digital that since posting his theory about an apparent link between brain tumor diagnoses in 1990s and early 2000s graduates of Colonia High School including himself, his wife and his sister, who recently died of cancer on Facebook in March, he has gathered the names of at least 110 graduates with rare brain tumors. Keep the information coming! 100 PEOPLE WITH RARE TUMORS WHO ATTENDED SAME NEW JERSEY HIGH SCHOOL DEMAND ANSWERS. According to ABC7, one of the victims was a woman named Janice Wisinski, who died 10 years ago from an inoperable brain tumor while pregnant. McCormac said both commissioners acknowledged they received the township's email and he hopes to hear back from them soon. (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. Colonia High School entrance. Between August 1999 and November 1999, the Corps disposed of 35,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil contained within the VP pile. The Environmental Protection Agency and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection are now leading the investigation into the high instances of brain tumor diagnoses among Colonia High School students and staff. Gov. More than 100 former students and staff at the school have been diagnosed . Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. At an educational board meeting in June, Mrs. Komorek laid out the possible leads she and others would like to see explored, like whether the schools 1960s-era building materials contain mercury or formaldehyde. "To me their health is the most important thing.". It is not unfathomable that it may have happened in Colonia, Mrs. Komorek told the board. But this isn't the first time the high school has had questions about the radiation levels in the area. "So if that's the case, that could explain why we have pockets of these rare cancers all over Woodbridge Township.". 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. Send Joe Votruba an email. His wife was similarly diagnosed with a malignant AN tumor, and his sister was diagnosed with malignant Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), which has an incident rate of 30 out of every 1 million people. We all grew up in Woodbridge Township, but I lived in Iselin miles away from where she grew up in Colonia. Anyone can read what you share. 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. 27 /r/newjersey, 2023-02-22, 22:36:15 Permalink. A Record of Decision (ROD) for Soils was signed September 2005. During my research, I uncovered a shocking number of our Woodbridge Township friends and family have also been diagnosed with primary brain tumors. Secondary brain tumors, which originate elsewhere in the body and then spread to the brain, are more common. The school has stayed open, with local officials apparently telling parents that "at this time, there is no discernable health or wellness threat to students, staff, or visitors at Colonia High School," according to the petition writers. Colonia High School Brain Tumors: New Jersey Cancer Cluster Causes Concern, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Colonia High School 180 East Street Colonia, NJ 07067 Phone: 732-499-6500 Fax: 732-574-2575. Rich Strack, who taught English and philosophy at Colonia for about 30 years, likened the situation to a dark cloud hanging over the school. I am asking for your help! Theres something special about cancer, said Richard Clapp, a cancer epidemiologist and a professor emeritus at Boston University. Here are the best chocolates in New Jersey. These tumors are even more rare occurring in 10 out of 1,000,000 individuals. We need action! Radiation tests are being carried out at a New Jersey high school where over 100 former students and staff are reported to have developed brain tumors and cancerand the . 3/21 UPDATE: I am scheduled to present my data to local, County, and State officials. 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. 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. Mr. Lupianos list of former classmates and staff members at Colonia High School with primary brain tumors hit 100 in April. World News Posted by Amit Chaturvedi Updated: April 15, 2022 12:33 pm IST. The television station reported that testing is ongoing. By Sean Adams, WCBS Newsradio 880. I don't get that," he said. People who have been exposed to ionizing radiation have an increased risk of developing primary brain tumors, whether they are malignant or benign, according to the Mayo Clinic. Environmental scientist Al Lupiano tells NBC4 New . A part of the campus is named for Pat Barbato - a longtime football coach . For the past six months, Ive spent hundreds of hours scouring the internet and speaking to people about brain tumors. The schools social media accounts have been quiet about the brain tumors. April 15, 2022 1:00 PM ET. 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. 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. 3/29 UPATE: The list has continued to grow, and now stands at 65 individuals. We have to accept the results.. or redistributed. (In one scientific review of 428 cancer cluster investigations over 21 years, for example, just one in eight cases was a confirmed increase in cancer, and only one investigation revealed a definitive source.). 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. According to My Central New Jersey, the township has approved an emergency contract of $221,350 for an engineering firm to conduct radiological assessments at Colonia High School.. Our meetings with the State and Feds. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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.". 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. 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. That means we have an incident rate of 15 cases out of 5,000 people. 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 . Lupiano, who is also an environmental scientist, and his wife Michelle-- both graduates of the high school -- were diagnosed with benign brain tumors 20 years apart. Powered by. Two environmentalists are using a GPS to test for radiation at the high school, which is still open, the television station reported. Yesthere is. said Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac. 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. There are hundreds more probable carcinogens of varying ubiquity under study, such as pesticides, parasites, night shifts and indoor fires. 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. Youre looking for footprints in the sand long after the tide has come and gone, said Dr. Clapp. The plant, which has since closed, is about a 30-minute drive from Colonia High School. 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. "Once again we will work with the school district through our health department and our environmental consultants and make contact with the state Departments of Environmental Protection and Health to help evaluate what we were presented with and decide on a future course of action," said Mayor John E. McCormac. 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. The AP participation rate at Colonia High School is 37%. Colonia High School. If you are willing, please record a short video on your phone of yourself talking about your issue. Keep it to 30 seconds or less. "Most of them during the years of 1972 to 2000," said Matthew Stanmyre with NJ Advance Media, who broke the . For those who dont know me, my name is Al Lupiano and I graduated CHS class of 89. As first reported on New Jersey 101.5, Al Lupiano, a former Colonia High School student, was the one responsiblefor linking the people together. Our children and Colonia High School staff deserve more involvement of the State and Federal agencies. She went inside the school in August to swipe dust samples from a bathroom, and returned a month later collecting samples outdoors, soil from the ground and caulk from a school window. This helps explain why cluster investigations so often fail to arrive at a satisfying conclusion. All three of them have since come down with rare brain disorders. Lupiano believes theres a link between. Email tips toaudrey.conklin@fox.com or on Twitter at @audpants. According to My Central New Jersey, the mayor said the school site was vacant land until the school was built in 1967, so he believes there is little chance anything was in the ground before then, but if there is anything on site, it could have come from fill during the construction phase.. On April 10, Mr. Lupianos list of former students and staff members with primary brain tumors hit 100 names. Colonia High School is 1 of 3 high schools in . "The medical journals are rich with data supporting ionizing radiation causes brain tumors. 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 . 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. Edyta Komorek is a professional environmental scientist. Ive also started a sublist of what I am classifying as cases of interest due to several anomalies. 2021 DEADLIEST YEAR IN US HISTORY DUE TO COVID-19, DRUG OVERDOSES. Lupiano, however, says Woodbridge Mayor McCormac is the only government official who has reached out to him for information. 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. With primary brain tumors rare '' and abnormally large brain tumor in 1999, the site noted medium for! The only government official who has reached out to him for information classmates. Ive also started a sublist of what I am classifying as cases of who. Mystery that has caused alarm for experts the most important thing. ``, which since. But what was the cause to several anomalies sent public nearly two ago! For radiation at the School have been diagnosed with a very rare '' and abnormally large tumor. 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Disposed of 35,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil contained within the VP pile what you... With data supporting ionizing radiation Causes brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a noncancerous one participation! 2023 Heavy, Inc. all rights reserved and gone, said Richard Clapp, a cancer cluster related to High!