A Boston-area hospital, Mass General Brigham Newton-Wellesley Hospital, is investigating after 11 employees from the fifth-floor maternity unit reported health concerns, with five developing benign brain tumors. The hospital conducted an investigation in collaboration with health and safety officials ruling out possible environmental risks such as disposable masks, water supply, x-rays, and chemotherapy treatments. The hospital stated that there is no environmental risk at the facility based on the results of the investigation. However, the Massachusetts Nurses Association, the union representing nurses at the hospital, continues to investigate independently to determine the cause of the tumors. The American Cancer Society defines a cancer cluster as occurrences of the same type of cancer in the same area with the same cause affecting more people than expected. The Society notes that it’s not uncommon for several people in a small area to develop cancer at the same time. A federal occupational health and safety agency has not yet provided conclusive information on the matter. The hospital is facing criticism from the union for not conducting comprehensive environmental testing and for providing what they believe to be a predetermined conclusion. The investigation is ongoing, and more information may be available in the coming weeks.
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