Solution to the mystery that continues to baffle the New Jersey community as nearly 100 people developed rare malignant brain tumors at some point in their lives, seeks one of the survivors. An environmental study released these days says it found no evidence "of cancer risks."
Al Lupiano is just one of the school's students who have developed "extremely rare" tumors. He,had stated while speaking to the NYP "that he will not rest until he finds answers."
Among those diagnosed with brain cancer was his younger sister, who died of the disease at the age of 44.
Lupiano was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 27.
His wife - who also went to the same school - was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour. On the very same day, his younger sister, who also went to school there, learned that she too had brain cancer.
After his sister's death, Lupiano became convinced that there was a correlation between the onset of the disease and the fact that they all went to the same school.
So not long ago, he created a Facebook group asking locals if they knew other people associated with the school who had similar diagnoses.
In less than six weeks, he gathered the names of 94 people associated with the school who had developed brain tumors.
To date, no one knows why these individuals have developed malignant tumors. All that is known is that they attended the same school before they were diagnosed with cancer.
In light of the strange phenomenon, the school site underwent an environmental study in April, using gamma radiation scanning devices.
The district's mayor announced the findings in a press release and confirmed that "there is no evidence of cancer risks to warrant further investigation."
"We are very pleased to announce that our extensive investigations of both radon and radiation inside and outside the school building revealed no evidence of cancer-causing hazards that warrant further investigation. This is terrible news for the current students at the school. And their parents who were concerned for their safety along with current staff members and it is great news for all the former students who attended and the staff who have worked school since it opened in 1968."
The mayor continued: "We sympathize with anyone who has experienced brain cancer, especially those who have lost loved ones to this terrible disease, but there is no cause-and-effect relationship between these diseases and the school building or grounds."
According to the press release, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control agree with the conclusion after reviewing the findings.
No high levels of radiation were found
On Thursday (5/26/05), the school district responsible shared an open letter detailing the study's findings, confirming that the investigation found no evidence of high levels of radiation on school grounds.
The Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection stated: "In conclusion, the results of the radiological survey at the school and grounds are within the normal variation of ambient radiation levels in New Jersey and are therefore not indicative of a concern for radiological exposure of individuals at the site."
In addition, DEP's further review does not indicate any sources of environmental exposures of public health concern. Therefore, no further investigation or remediation is required or recommended at this time."
Source: in.gr
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