COLONIA HIGH CANCER CONCERNS RESURFACE—OFFICIALS STAND BY FINDINGS

Cancer rates among Colonia High School graduates do not exceed expected levels for a similar population size, according to the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) and Rutgers University. The Woodbridge school district requested the analysis in 2022 after concerns arose about a potential cancer cluster.

Superintendent Joseph Massimino addressed the issue at Thursday night’s Woodbridge school board meeting, where concerns resurfaced following a new NJ.com report.

Fears of a cancer cluster date back to 2021, when Colonia High alumnus and environmental scientist Al Lupiano began documenting cases on Facebook. Lupiano identified approximately 122 people who either attended or worked at the school between 1975 and 1999 and later developed cancer or brain tumors.

Massimino stated that, in response, the school district asked NJDOH to determine the expected number of brain tumor cases in a comparable population. NJDOH, along with a Rutgers epidemiologist hired by the teachers’ union, reviewed the data and found that the reported cases fell within the expected range.

"The numbers matched what the gentleman who started the Facebook page found—between 98 and 108 cases—which aligns with what you'd expect in a population of this size," said Massimino. "A neurosurgeon from Princeton Medical Center told me there’s no greater risk of developing a primary brain tumor at Colonia than anywhere else in the country based on randomly selected sample data."

Radiation Testing and Environmental Investigations

In 2022, the school district, in coordination with NJDOH and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), conducted extensive radiation testing on Colonia High School’s 28-acre property. The tests, performed by environmental consultants T&M Associates, found no evidence of ionizing radiation or radon.

"Every expert, including Mr. Lupiano, agreed that if an environmental factor were causing primary brain tumors, it would likely be ionizing radiation," Massimino said. "We tested thoroughly, and nothing was found. At that point, the case was considered closed."

Later in 2022, a parent collected unauthorized samples of caulk and soil from outside the school, which tested positive for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and historic pesticides—chemicals commonly found in 1970s-era building materials. As a result, the district re-hired T&M Associates, which is now working with NJDEP and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assess the extent of contamination and develop a remediation plan.

"The goal is to complete remediation this summer or fall, pending approval from the DEP and EPA," Massimino said.

He also emphasized his personal commitment to the school’s safety, noting that his own children attend Colonia High.

"There’s nothing more important to me as a father than ensuring the safety of that school for every student, including my two children," he said.

A video of the meeting is available below. Massimino begins addressing the concerns at the 21:22 mark, following a question from a Woodbridge resident.

As officials stand by their findings, the question remains: Will new concerns change the outcome?