In 1995, the New Jersey Department of Health and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry began an investigation into the growing concerns about elevated rates of childhood cancer in the New Jersey region. The investigation was a response to resident concerns about water environmental pollution. The research focused on industrial sites in the area that were ultimately found responsible for significant contamination.
In this case study, O’Connor reviews the cancer cluster found in New Jersey townships, including its surrounding causes and the lessons it provided on the importance of environmental health. O’Connor highlights the need for policy changes in industrial pollution monitoring, environmental safety standards, and long-term public health surveillance.