Bill Essayli calls for investigation after rare cancer diagnoses rattle Orange County families

Bill Essayli calls for investigation after rare cancer diagnoses rattle Orange County families

An outbreak of an extremely rare cancer in a ritzy SoCal community has raised the concern of Los Angeles’ top federal attorney.

A letter sent to Lee Zeldin, the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), from First Assistant US Attorney Thursday called for an investigation into the Ladera Ranch community.

“My office has been made aware of recent reports of multiple pediatric Ewing sarcoma cases within the Ladera Ranch community. Residents are raising concerns about a potential cancer cluster and whether environmental factors may warrant further evaluation,” Essayli said, in a letter seen by The California Post.

“My office has been made aware of recent reports of multiple pediatric Ewing sarcoma cases within the Ladera Ranch community. Residents are raising concerns about a potential cancer cluster and whether environmental factors may warrant further evaluation,” Essayli said, in a letter seen by The California Post.

Aerial view of the master-planned community of Ladera Ranch in Orange County, California.
A letter sent to Lee Zeldin, the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), from First Assistant US Attorney Thursday called for an investigation into the Ladera Ranch community. Unwind – stock.adobe.com

At least six children have been diagnosed with the rare bone and soft-tissue cancer. One 17-year-old named Brody Matteson died after complications during his cancer treatment.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Cancer Institute recognize that the unusual patterns of cancer and community concerns regarding potential environmental exposures should be evaluated through a systematic, science-based process,” the letter said.

Essayli then requested the EPA “conduct an appropriate investigation to determine if there are any environmental factors causing this cancer cluster, and to determine whether any federal environmental laws are implicated.”

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *