He said the same day his 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 on her left side.". Lupiano notified the community about his research in March, which prompted the township to authorize an emergency contract of more than $200,000 to conduct a radiological assessment of the East Street school and grounds. Nearly 100 people attending a single high school in New Jersey have developed rare forms of brain cancer. IT'S HAPPENING! Former Colonia High School student Al Lupiano first decided to investigate when both his wife and his sister were diagnosed with brain tumors, two decades after he himself had suffered from a benign tumor. No Radioactivity Found at N.J. High School After 94 People Developed Brain Tumors, Study Shows, What to Know About the Ohio Train Derailment and Chemical Spill: A Timeline of Events, Parents Raise $3 Million to Save Their Kids' Lives from Fatal Form of Dwarfism: 'We'd Do Anything', Woman, 29, Charged After Posing as High School Student For 4 Days Before Getting Caught, Officials Say, Who Is Matthew Stafford's Wife? 1 spot on Bloomberg's billionaires list, Manhattan stores are turning to K-9s to fight shoplifting, Police look for evidence in slain Hong Kong models case, Hamptons trailer park home sells for $3.75M, Fishermen find remains of missing man inside shark. "What I find alarming is there's truly only one environmental link to primary brain tumors and that's ionizing radiation. All three had been students at Colonia in the 80s and 90s. An environmental scientist, Lupiano determined the common link between the three was that all attended the same high school. IE 11 is not supported. 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. When asked by reporters if the state would consider additional testing of the soil or groundwater at Colonia, LaTourette was adamant that no further examination is warranted. Cancer clusters are difficult to prove because cancer is a relatively common disease, (and) cases of cancer can appear to cluster even when there is no connection among them. This is terrific news for the current students of Colonial High School and their parents who are worried about their safety along with current staff members. "We are aware of a social media post and associated news reports suggesting a connection between Colonia High School and specific health concerns," Woodbridge school Superintendent Joseph Massimino said in a letter home to parents Wednesday. Woodbridge Woman Writes Her 2nd Fiction Novel, Critically Praised, Perth Amboy Outerbridge Crossing Crash Blocks Lane Tuesday: DOT, Speed Restrictions On GSP In Woodbridge Prompt Delays Tuesday: DOT, NJ Camp Fairs at Menlo Park Mall Mar 4, 2023 - FREE to Attend (12-3PM), 2023 Spring Garden Tea Party Gift Auction, Raisin, The Tony-Winning Best Musical - Second Incredible Week, Johns Crazy Socks Enters the Wholesale Channel so Retail Stores Can Sell Our Socks, Tax Relief, Debt Service, Transit Fare Freeze: 3 NJ Budget Takeaways, Rutgers Professors' Union Considers Going On Strike. NLR does not answer legal questions nor will we refer you to an attorney or other professional if you request such information from us. Why is this alarming? Strategies for Protecting Standard Essential Patents. First Offshore Wind Energy Lease Sales in the Gulf of Mexico, Telephone and Texting Compliance News: Litigation Update February 2023. Preliminary results from the emergency studies could take a month or more to come back. April 16, 2022, 8:56 PM. State health officials say that they plan to work with the federal government to find out the cause of a possible cancer cluster linked to Colonia High School. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. A consultant will be testing the grounds at Colonia High School, New Jersey, amid concerns that the school is linked to a high rate of rare brain cancers. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Unfortunately, it turned out to be stage 4 glioblastoma. McCormac was joined by Joseph Massimino, superintendent of Woodbridge schools, Shawn LaTourette, New Jerseys commissioner of environmental protection, Judith Persichilli, commissioner of New Jerseys department of health, and Kate McGreevy, an epidemiologist from the New Jersey Department of Health. My sister received the news she had a primary brain tumor, herself. 94 people from 1 N.J. high school developed brain tumors. Environmental scientist Al Lupiano is. Jeff Krawitz is a Shareholder and member of Stark & Starks Accident & Personal Injury Group and concentrates his practice in casualty litigation focusing on complex injury, coverage issues and bad faith claims. The question is why? Friday Development: New Sanctions and Export Controls to Address Weekly IRS Roundup February 20 February 24, 2023, Everything to Know About Unbundled Legal Services. Creditor Stung By Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences Bylaws. A representative from the health department did not respond to that request. His wife is still undergoing treatment. Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. If you would ike to contact us via email please click here. National Law Review, Volume XII, Number 112, Public Services, Infrastructure, Transportation. An environmental assessment of all 28 acres in and around Colonia High School found no traces of radiological contaminants and the school has been deemed safe for students and staff, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette and other officials announced Thursday. No attorney-client or confidential relationship is formed by the transmission of information between you and the National Law Review website or any of the law firms, attorneys or other professionals or organizations who include content on the National Law Review website. Tests are currently being run across the schools property to search for possible sources of radiation. Colonia cancer cluster testers to use spring break week to finish data collection, Environmental firm collects data at Woodbridge school amid cancer cluster concerns, Testing to begin at Colonia HS after man discovers possible evidence of cancer cluster. Since . Mayor John McCormac said there have been many conversations between the DOH and the townshipon setting up that portal. Lupianos findings prompted the Woodbridge Municipal Council to approve an emergency contract with an environmental consultant to conduct various radiological assessments at Colonia beginning in April. But public health experts are cautioning against deeming the tumor cases a "cancer cluster" just yet. This now makes three of us in one family with primary brain tumors all on the left side," he wrote. But I know for sure the tragedy that many lives are going through have some nexus to the Colonia High School, so that's something we take very seriously, Murphy said. 94 people from 1 N.J. high school developed brain tumors. COLONIA, N.J. - Radiation tests are being done at Colonia High School in New Jersey after more than 100 people were diagnosed with rare brain tumors. Photo credit Google Street View. He graduated from Colonia High School in 1989. "Finding something isn't the end of the road. Strategies for Protecting Standard Essential Department Of Justice Introduces Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy For Minnesota Supreme Court Clarifies State Law Standards for Severe or Gold Dome Report Legislative Day 25 (2023). Since his March 7 Facebook post, Lupiano said he now has 65 cases connected to Colonia High School that he deems credible. ", Lupiano said another neurologist said he was very concerned to learn "that all three of us grew up in the same neighborhood. Statement from the Woodbridge superintendent of schools. "It doesn't rule out there isn't some cause, it's just means that we have to be careful that we're not drawing lines around areas of locations and times when theres randomly an increase in incidents of cancer," he says. Lupiano says that he wants to know if an area like that contaminated Colonia. Sign up for Patch emails: https://patch.com/subscribe Contact this Patch reporter: Carly.baldwin@patch.com. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Matthew Stanmyre | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. Unless otherwise noted, attorneys are not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, nor can NLR attest to the accuracy of any notation of Legal Specialization or other Professional Credentials. No one knows why. Environmental scientist Al Lupiano is. Image: Unsplash. "Unfortunately we all have to be patient while the results are being analyzed because there is no point in doing anything else until we are sure of what the situation is. Arizona Gets to Keep Its State-Operated Workplace Safety and Health Manufacturers Legal Considerations for Staffing Reductions, PCAOB Enforcement Activity Up Sharply in 2022. Rob Laumbach of Rutgers School of Public Health says that it is always possible that in any large population of people, there will be instances of tumors and cancers. He is keeping a list. Woodbridge's congressman, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ6), has also been made aware, the mayor said. Three of the victims are Al Lupiano, his wife Michelle, and his sister Angele Decillis. Proposed Nursing Home Disclosure Requirements Target Private Equity Regulation in the Post-FTX Environment: SECs Proposed Enhanced Can a Child Decide Whom They Want to Live With in Michigan? It's not air. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. Challenges to the No Surprises Act Continue: The Latest includes a Navigating Permissive State Laws in Light of the Federal Information FDA Publishes List of 2023 Priority Guidance Topics. Komorek and other parents said they still are considering transferring their children to another school district. The township announced results of an investigation. Recent FTC Enforcement Action Merits Cyber Insurance Coverage Review, Two Ways to Redefine & Achieve CRM Success. The town also said in its statement that a radiological and environmental remediation company has been contracted to begin collecting data at the school. More than 100 people who graduated from Colonia High School have developed brain cancer. Some states have laws and ethical rules regarding solicitation and advertisement practices by attorneys and/or other professionals. 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. The National Law Review is not a law firm nor is www.NatLawReview.com intended to be a referral service for attorneys and/or other professionals. The NLR does not wish, nor does it intend, to solicit the business of anyone or to refer anyone to an attorney or other professional. Im really starting to get frustrated, he says. The family lives close enough to see it. Whoever started calling this a cancer cluster, to use that phrase, it was ill informed, McCormac said. FMLA Developments Regarding Telework and Retaliation Claims You Should Know About. Murphy commented for the first time on the situation during a Monday news conference at state police headquarters. But there is no cause and effect relationship between those illnesses and the building or grounds at Colonia High School., LaTourette added: Its our conclusion at the Department of Environmental Protection that the radiological status of this building and the grounds of this high school are consistent with typical background levels of radiation that are found in New Jersey. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Colonia High School is now the subject of radiation detecting research. "When my wife and my sister were diagnosed the very same day, with a brain tumor in August of 2021, it took me a few days but that's when I knew something was wrong," Lupiano said. Multiple Concussions Result in Greater Cognitive Deficits, DOL Issues Internal Guidance on Telework Under the FLSA & FMLA, USPTO Launches Cancer Moonshot Expedited Examination Pilot Program. Telephone and Texting Compliance News: Regulatory Update February 2023. In 1999, Al Lupiano was diagnosed with a "very rare" and abnormally large brain tumor for someone his age called Acoustic Neuroma (AN). The environmental engineering firm T+M Associates was contracted by Woodbridge Township after growing concerns about a possible link between the Central New Jersey school and brain cancer. Colonia High School A cluster of brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a single New Jersey high school is causing concern. Lupiano, his wife . When Woodbridge Township Mayor John McCormac learned about Lupianos efforts, he reached to him and the township subsequently hired an environmental engineering firm to investigate possible contaminants at the school that could contribute to development of brain tumors. Three of the victims are Al Lupiano, his wife Michelle, and his sister Angele Decillis. "We will maintain contact with any/all agencies now involved in reviewing the data and investigating the issues of concern in order to keep our public informed of any findings.". After doing some research, Al Lupiano told TODAY that he discovered 107 former . He wasn't the . Murphy: We absolutely have concern about potential Colonia High School cancer cluster, Colonia cancer cluster testers to use spring break week to finish data collection. This Week in 340B: February 21 27, 2023. The City of Woodbridge has now allocated hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding to test for radiation on the schools grounds, and Woodbridge Mayor John McCormick has expressed his concern in recent interviews. The New York City Council Sets its Sights on Non-Profit Housing DOJ Announces New Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy for U.S. Attorney Supreme Court: Salary, Not Daily Pay, Required for FLSA Overtime Time Is Money: A Quick Wage-Hour Tip on the Tip Credit, EDPB issues its Opinion on the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework, Hunton Andrews Kurths Privacy and Cybersecurity. It's not contaminated water. The township worked closely with state and federal agencies in the investigation, according to McCormac. "I started doing some research and the three became five, the five became seven, the seven became 15," Lupiano said. Some, including Lupianos sister, have died. Will Changes to the Option To Tax Regime Impact UK Insolvency Sales? Dozens of former teachers and. We also need to verify reported cancer cases and determine based on the specific timing, type, and frequency if they are statistically higher than normal rates," the statement continued. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. "For most cancers, and that would include brain cancers for example, in most cases we dont know what the cause was," Laumbach says. A A. TODAY reached out to Lupiano for comment on the press conference but did not hear back. Although no specific cause has yet been determined, the discovery set off alarm bells for the school district and local government officials. Pallone said he asked the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to show its commitment to the community and its concerns by reimbursing Woodbridge for the cost of the environmental studies and by taking over any subsequent tests if they are necessary in the future. Lupianos search for others with similar experiences eventually uncovered 108 former students and staff who had suffered from brain tumors since their time at Colonia. Abusive Arbitrage Devices Its Time to Get Reacquainted (Episode 2 Former City of Atlanta Official Sentenced for Accepting Bribes, United States Department of Justice (DOJ), CBP Officers Seize More Than 540 Pounds of Narcotics, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Department of Homeland Security. In 2019, he was named the nations best sports beat reporter by APSE. The mayor said he anticipates releasing the results and a plan at the same time because people will want to know what will be done next. US Executive Branch Update February 27, 2023. Al Lupiano and his wife, Michele, at their home in Jamesburg, attended Colonia High School together and both have rare brain tumors. Its definitely not enough, she said. Dr. Joseph Massimino, superintendent of Woodbridge Township School District, said officials are awaiting details on next steps from environmental agencies, while Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac has contacted the state Department of Health, Department of Environmental Protection and the Federal Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry, the Mayor's Office of Communications for the Township of Woodbridge confirmed to PEOPLE Friday. A man, his wife and his sister all Colonia High grads diagnosed with rare brain tumors. 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 so. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. . Al Lupiano and his wife, Michele, at their home in Jamesburg . Al Lupiano first sent public nearly two months ago about concerns of a cancer cluster related to Colonia High School. Print |. Canisters were also put on the grounds outside of the school to check for any excessive levels of radiation. Al Lupiano, a graduate of the high school, believes there's a link between Colonia High School and brain tumors diagnosed in 108 people over a period of three decades, ending in the early 2000s. A town meeting is expected to be held afterward. Environmental scientists are investigating reports of increased instances of brain tumors at Colonia High School in New Jersey. Weeks of radiation and radon testing that Woodbridge officials initiated is now over. Lupiano graduated from Colonia High in 1989; his three siblings graduated in 91, 95 and 98, and his wife was in the class of 91. Colonia High School is now the subject of radiation detecting research. He says that more than 100 people responded with similar cancer cases. 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. He no longer lives in Woodbridge but he said he was looking for any and all Colonia High School alumni to come forward. Want to get the biggest stories from PEOPLE every weekday? Lupiano confirmed that meetings with state and federal government are taking place. A part of the campus is named for Pat Barbato - a longtime football coach . Matthew Stanmyre may be reached at mstanmyre@njadvancemedia.com. Dies geschieht in Ihren Datenschutzeinstellungen. North Hunterdon High School is a four-year regional public high school serving students from six municipalities in northern Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States, as one of two high schools in the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District.Students in the high school hail from Bethlehem Township, Clinton Town, Clinton Township, Franklin Township, Lebanon Borough and Union . The assessment at the school included real time radiation measurements inside the building and testing of all 28 acres of grounds outside the building. Lupiano reported his findings to Colonia High School, which was built in 1967, and he is now working with local officials to identify the root cause. Updated: Feb 28, 2023 / 02:45 PM EST. "Please know that the health and safety of our school community, and the Colonia community at-large, is paramount and we take the information shared very seriously," the statement continued. 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