Press Release 5/5/22

LONG BRANCH, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) issued the following statement on the suspected cancer cluster in Woodbridge, New Jersey:

“The questions raised by local advocates and families require serious scrutiny from health and environmental experts, which is exactly why I personally convened state and federal agencies on April 4 and asked them to investigate these serious concerns. So far, the experts have provided the community with important scientific consultation, but I still have not seen enough action. 

“The community is lucky to have Mayor John McCormac who refused to wait and instead pressed ahead with his own environmental reviews. My understanding is that those results will be ready later this month, which will help guide our next steps.

“We still need environmental research to see if there is evidence for concern. We also need to verify reported cancer cases and determining based on the specific timing, type, and frequency if they are statistically higher than normal rates.

“That’s why I have called on the state to take two very specific actions. First, I’ve asked the 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.

“Second, I have asked the New Jersey Department of Health to create a process to collect and verify the cases so health experts can complete a scientific evaluation. There’s a reason the state has a cancer registry and epidemiologists. It is my understanding that the state has agreed to work with Mayor McCormac to create a portal to collect the necessary information.

“In addition, federal agencies have committed their full support should the state request their assistance.”