Grieving families in Ladera Ranch, California, gathered Tuesday to voice their anguish over a cluster of rare childhood cancers, with some suspecting a link to the community's heavy use of pesticides and herbicides. The community meeting highlighted the distress of parents whose children have been diagnosed with or died from conditions like Ewing sarcoma, an extremely rare bone and soft-tissue cancer that affects only about 200 to 240 children nationwide each year.
Brian Dalton, who lost his 23-year-old daughter Lily to Ewing sarcoma, publicly demanded answers, questioning the high incidence of rare cancers in the community. Lily, who grew up in nearby Laguna Nigel but spent considerable time in Ladera Ranch, succumbed to the disease. Her family has a GoFundMe active to assist with treatment costs, which has neared $45,000. Dalton expressed his belief that a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation is warranted to determine if environmental exposures, including pesticides, could be contributing factors.
While researchers have explored potential associations between pesticide exposure and certain childhood cancers, no direct causal relationship has been confirmed. Nevertheless, residents report that the volume of chemicals sprayed throughout Ladera Ranch has become a noticeable concern.
Residents seeking to understand the issue have reportedly faced stonewalling from local officials. Attorney and resident Jackie French stated that several groups of residents have been investigating the matter since 2016, but their efforts have been largely unsuccessful, with some residents eventually moving away. French became involved after the death of 17-year-old Brody Matteson from Ewing sarcoma in March. Records indicate that 17 different pesticides and herbicides were applied in Ladera Ranch during June alone, with applications occurring almost daily.
In response to the growing concerns, the Ladera Ranch Maintenance Corporation (LARMAC), which manages landscaping, issued a statement expressing sympathy for affected families. LARMAC stated that there is currently no evidence linking the community's landscaping practices to the illnesses. However, county and state health officials are examining the cancer data, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been requested to investigate.
The Ladera Ranch Homeowners Association has also implemented a 60-day pause on the use of certain pesticides. California assemblymember Diane Dixon indicated that lawmakers are working to understand potential environmental exposures in Ladera Ranch as they prepare for an investigation, with the stated goal of saving lives and ensuring healthy communities.