Federal Prosecutor Urges EPA Probe Into 6 Orange County Ewing Sarcoma Cases
Updated
Updated · Los Angeles Times · Jul 17
Federal Prosecutor Urges EPA Probe Into 6 Orange County Ewing Sarcoma Cases
3 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · Jul 17
Summary
A Thursday letter from First Assistant U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli asked the EPA to investigate reports of rare childhood cancers in Ladera Ranch, including six diagnosed Ewing sarcoma cases.
About 250 Ewing sarcoma cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S., and Essayli said unusual cancer patterns and possible environmental exposures should be reviewed through a science-based process.
Families in the Orange County community have reported additional cancers such as synovial sarcoma; one 18-year-old girl lost her foot after diagnosis, and another family said their 17-year-old son died in March.
No cause has been established, but parents suspect toxic pesticides and have pressed their homeowners association to adopt non-toxic alternatives and seek a broader environmental review.
The Ladera Ranch Maintenance Corp. has said it is forming a committee to examine its landscaping practices, signaling the probe request is already prompting local scrutiny.