Researchers test Ladera Ranch soil and water amid cancer concerns

Researchers and students from Cal State Fullerton collected soil and water from three Ladera Ranch parks Sunday after concerns arose over at least six cases of Ewing sarcoma in the community, according to NBC Los Angeles. No environmental cause has been established.

The testing begins an effort to examine possible environmental factors in the community of about 26,000 residents while separate investigations remain pending. Orange County health officials said their initial review identified no particular pattern in cancer cases and that another review of the data was planned, NBC Los Angeles reported.

NBC Los Angeles described the sampling as the first testing undertaken in response to concerns about the Ewing sarcoma cases. Results could be available by the end of the week, the outlet reported.

Ewing sarcoma is a rare cancer affecting bone and soft tissue. The American Cancer Society puts annual diagnoses among children and teenagers nationwide at 200 to 240, according to the report.

Professor Daniel Curtis said establishing causation is difficult and that the cancers might not have an environmental cause. The sampling is intended to help determine whether something in the environment warrants attention, he told NBC Los Angeles.

Researchers at USC have agreed to study the cases separately. State health officials and the federal Environmental Protection Agency are also investigating, with their findings still pending, according to NBC Los Angeles.

The community’s homeowners association temporarily prohibited certain landscaping chemicals earlier in the year. Citing Ladera Health Watch, NBC Los Angeles reported that the association’s board agreed the previous week to halt their use in heavily used areas, including parks.

Some research suggests a possible link between pesticides and Ewing sarcoma, NBC Los Angeles reported, but no direct correlation has been established. The park testing has not established an explanation for the community’s cancer cases.