Colonia High School Undergoing Radiological Testing After Brain Cancer Concerns
Colonia High School, located in Colonia, NJ is undergoing immediate radiological testing after being linked to a high rate of brain cancer diagnoses. According to recent reports, the Superintendent of Schools, Joseph Massimino and Mayor John E. McCormac first became aware of the possible link to brain cancer after an alarming number of graduates developed brain tumors over a 20-year span from 1975 to 1995.
Continue reading to learn more about this developing investigation.
How the Possible Link Was Discovered
The investigation was officially kicked off by Al Lupiano, a 1989 graduate of Colonia High School after his 44-year old sister passed away from a severely aggressive, malignant glioma brain tumor that was diagnosed in 2021. On the same day that he shared the news of his sister’s passing, his wife – a member of the class of 1999 – was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor that could be fatal if left untreated. Lupiano himself was diagnosed with a large acoustic neuroma on the left side of his brain back in 1999 when he was just 27 years old.
Having three people in the family affected by brain tumors, all of whom attended the same high school, prompted Lupiano to see if any other graduates of the school has been affected. At first, Lupiano was able to find 15 graduates who had suffered brain tumors, however, since the search started, approximately 90 former graduates and staff have been affected, 10 of which worked in the school’s cafeteria and athletic department.
The school was built on vacant land back in 1967.
Steps the School Has Taken
Both the township and the school district have already talked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Federal Environmental Protection, and the state Department of Health and Environmental Protection. They have also been in contact with Rep. Frank Pallone’s office.
Mayor McCormac has already submitted an Open Public Records request with the state Department of Education to get files from the school’s construction to see if there is a connection between the development of brain tumors and the premises of the property. As it stands, the mayor believes there is little chance that cancer-causing materials were in the vacant lot prior to construction, however, with the fact that the school was built 55 years ago, he’d rather be safe than sorry.
Understandably, residents of Colonia, NJ are expressing concerns about the possible cancer link, however, the situation seems to be isolated only to those who worked and attended the high school.
Radiological Testing Will Begin Soon
T&M Associates, an engineering and environmental company in Middletown NJ, along with Cabrera Services, Inc., a radiological remediation company will start radiological testing this weekend. Cabrera Services will get real-time radiation measurements from both the inside and outside of the school across all 28 acres of the property. A report with the results is expected in about a month.
T&M Associates is placing radon canisters throughout the school to collect air samples. They will be in place for two weeks before being sent to the lab for further analysis. These canisters do not emit any substances.
This investigation is still in progress, however, if you or someone in your family graduated from Colonia High School and have since developed a brain tumor or brain cancer, contact the personal injury lawyers at Drazin and Warshaw, P.C. for a consultation.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Near You to Discuss Your Brain Tumor and Cancer Case in New Jersey
Were you or a loved one injured in New Jersey due to harmful radon exposure at Colonia High School? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Drazin and Warshaw, P.C. represent clients injured in Middlesex, Edison, Perth Amboy, Westfield, Colonia, Woodbridge, Clark, Rahway, New Brunswick, and throughout Ocean County, Monmouth County, Union County, and Middlesex County, New Jersey. Call (732) 576-8860 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 3315 Route 35, Hazlet, NJ 07730 as well as offices in Red Bank, Brick, and Westfield.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
