Families in Orange County gathered Tuesday at a community meeting in Ladera Ranch, where grief and frustration filled the room as residents sought answers about a troubling cluster of extremely rare childhood cancers.
Several cases of Ewing sarcoma, a rare cancer that develops in bone or soft tissue, have been reported in the area. The disease has claimed the lives of young people far too soon, and residents say fatal cases have also affected local pets.
Among those demanding action was Brian Dalton, whose 23-year-old daughter, Lily, died from the disease. Wearing a white shirt printed with his daughter’s face and the words “Remembering Lily,” Dalton delivered an emotional plea for answers.
“Why are so many young children and adults developing incredibly rare cancers in the same community?” he asked.
Lily grew up in Laguna Niguel but spent considerable time in Ladera Ranch, where residents have raised concerns that the community uses unusually heavy amounts of pesticides and herbicides. Ewing sarcoma is diagnosed in only about 200 to 240 children across the United States each year.
Dalton said he believes officials must closely examine whether pesticide exposure or other environmental factors could have played a role in his daughter’s cancer.
“That when something this unusual happens, families deserve answers,” Dalton said. “If there is even a possibility that environmental exposures, including pesticides or any other factor, could be contributing, then those possibilities deserve a thorough, transparent, independent investigation.”
Scientists have previously studied potential links between pesticide exposure and some childhood cancers, including Ewing sarcoma. However, researchers have not confirmed a direct causal connection.
Still, residents say the volume of chemicals being sprayed throughout the community has become impossible to ignore.
But any efforts from the residents to find out what’s amiss have been stonewalled by local officials.
“This issue has been looked into by several different groups of residents in Ladera Ranch going back to 2016,” attorney and resident Jackie French told The California Post.
“They have all been pretty much stonewalled… and many of them ended up moving away, so the movement kind of dies out each time.”
French drew inspiration to involve herself after a 17-year-old, Brody Matteson, died of Ewing sarcoma in March. According to French, records show that 17 different pesticides and herbicides were applied throughout Ladera Ranch during June alone, with applications occurring almost daily.
In a statement to The Post, the Ladera Ranch Maintenance Corporation (LARMAC), which oversees landscaping throughout the community, expressed sympathy for affected families but said there is currently no evidence linking the town’s landscaping practices to the illnesses.
“Our thoughts are with every child, parent, and loved one navigating these incredibly difficult circumstances,” the association said.
County and state health officials are looking into the cancer data, and the EPA has been asked to investigate, according to NBC Los Angeles.
The Ladera Ranch HOA also has issued a 60-day pause on certain pesticides that they use.
California assemblymember Diane Dixon told NBC LA that lawmakers are trying to understand potential environmental exposures in Ladera Ranch as they build towards an investigation.
“Save more lives,” she told NBC LA. “That is our goal — to save lives and families and have healthy communities.”
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