Woodbridge leaders say Colonial High School tests found no radiation; PCBs in caulk prompt planned remediation

The Woodbridge Township School District said testing at Colonia’s Colonial High School found no ionizing radiation linked to primary brain tumors, but subsequent analyses of parent-collected samples showed polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and historic pesticides in caulk and soil, prompting the district to prepare a remediation plan with state and federal agencies.

Superintendent Dr. Massimino told the board on Feb. 20 that the district hired environmental consultant T&M Associates and an LSRP, Dr. Kozak, to conduct a “complete canvas” of the school grounds after initial concerns surfaced on social media. “They then brought in a company that specifically had equipment looking for radiation,” Massimino said. “The test came back with no sign of ionizing radiation.”

The finding that no ionizing radiation was detected led the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Department of Health (DOH) to conclude that an environmental cause of primary brain tumors tied to radiation was not supported by the test results, Massimino said. He added that the district also worked with epidemiologists, including one at Rutgers, and a neurosurgeon who reviewed population-level case counts and found the reported numbers were…