A hospital in the Boston area is investigating after 11 employees from the fifth-floor maternity unit at Mass General Brigham Newton-Wellesley Hospital identified health concerns. Five of the employees were diagnosed with benign brain tumors, with two having the most common type, meningioma. The hospital conducted an investigation in collaboration with government health and safety officials and ruled out various possible sources for the tumors, including disposable masks, water supply, x-rays, and chemotherapy treatment on a lower floor.
The Massachusetts Nurses Association, the union representing nurses at the hospital, has expressed concerns and is continuing its own independent investigation into the matter. They believe that the hospital’s investigation was not comprehensive and are seeking more information. A state agency and federal occupational health and safety officials have not provided conclusive information on the issue.
The American Cancer Society states that in order for a group of cancer cases to be considered a cluster, they must be the same type, in the same area, with the same cause, and occurring in a number of people greater than expected based on baseline occurrences. The society also notes that it is not uncommon for several people in a small area to develop cancer at the same time, as nearly 4 out of 10 people in the United States will develop cancer in their lifetime.
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