Five nurses working on the fifth-floor maternity unit at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Massachusetts have been diagnosed with benign brain tumors, triggering an investigation and raising concerns about possible environmental factors in the workplace.
Quick Takes
- Five nurses from the same maternity unit at Newton-Wellesley Hospital have been diagnosed with benign brain tumors
- The Massachusetts Nurses Association has launched an independent investigation after receiving over 300 responses from current and former staff
- Hospital officials conducted their own investigation and found no environmental risks linked to the tumors
- A review found X-rays performed on the fifth floor doubled in recent years, though safety measures were reportedly in place
- Federal workplace safety officials were not aware of the situation
Multiple Nurses in Boston Maternity Ward Face Alarming Diagnosis
The cluster of brain tumor diagnoses among five nurses who work or have worked in the maternity unit on the fifth floor of Newton-Wellesley Hospital has set off alarm bells within the medical community. The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) has stepped in to conduct an independent investigation after expressing dissatisfaction with the hospital’s initial inquiry, which they claim only included a small number of nurses and featured limited environmental testing. The MNA has already received over 300 responses from current and former employees who have come forward with information and is currently working to verify diagnoses and collect medical records.
The hospital administration maintains that they have conducted a thorough investigation in collaboration with the Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Newton-Wellesley Safety Officer, radiation and pharmaceutical safety offices, and external environmental consultants. Their investigation concluded that there are no environmental risks at the facility that could be linked to the development of brain tumors. Despite this reassurance, concerned staff members remain skeptical about these findings and are pushing for more comprehensive analysis.
Hospital Investigation Finds No Environmental Link
Officials from Newton-Wellesley Hospital have been adamant that their investigation was comprehensive and followed CDC guidelines. The hospital’s Occupational Health Service (OHS) reviewed several potential environmental factors, including X-ray exposure, which was found to be within safe limits despite a notable increase in procedures. The investigation also examined long-term mask use, drinking water quality, ionizing radiation levels, air quality, and cleaning supplies – finding no abnormal levels or concerning issues with any of these potential factors.
“After we became aware of reported brain tumors in individuals who currently or previously had worked in the same area of the hospital, we conducted an extensive investigation in collaboration with the Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Newton-Wellesley Safety Officer, radiation and pharmaceutical safety offices, and external environmental consultants.” said Officials from Newton-Wellesley Hospital.
However, the MNA takes issue with these conclusions, stating they plan to continue their own scientific investigation to ensure all potential causes are thoroughly examined. According to Joe Markman of the MNA, “Right now, the best way we can help is to complete an independent, scientific investigation.” The nurses’ association has expressed that their urgency “comes from a place of concern for the health of nurses, their families, and patients — an urgency that we share.”
Radiation Exposure Questions Emerge
One particularly concerning finding from the OHS review was that 668 X-rays were performed on the fifth floor, which represents a doubling of radiation exposure risk. Although the hospital maintains that proper safety techniques were in place, this significant increase has raised questions about potential cumulative effects. The American Cancer Society notes that a cancer cluster requires occurrences of the same type, in the same area, with the same cause, and affecting more people than expected — a definition that may apply as more data becomes available.
Adding another layer of concern is the apparent lack of federal oversight. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was not aware of the situation when contacted by news outlets and had no comment on the matter. This has led some to question whether proper reporting protocols were followed when the tumor diagnoses began to emerge. The hospital has stated they plan to hold another town hall meeting to address ongoing concerns and maintain that the health and wellbeing of staff and patients remains their top priority.
