Ten nurses working in the same maternity ward at a Massachusetts hospital have been diagnosed with brain tumors, prompting serious concerns about potential environmental causes. One of the nurses, who asked to remain anonymous, says the tumors range from benign to cancerous, with at least three requiring surgical treatment. She also alleges that the hospital has offered little support or urgency in addressing their diagnoses or investigating possible causes.1
The anonymous nurse describes going to work with a “bad feeling in her gut” every day. “It’s getting to the point where the number just increases, and you start saying ‘am I crazy thinking this?'” she said. “This can’t just be a coincidence. We want reassurance, because this has not been a reassuring past few months for a lot of the staff members,” she said. “We want to feel safe, the same way we want to make our patients feel safe.”1
Hospital Deems Tumors “Non-Cancerous,” Dismisses Environmental Link
Mass General Brigham/Newton-Wellesley Hospital officials confirmed they have been investigating since December and found that “none of the brain tumors are cancerous.” The hospital administration said in a statement that the investigation found “no environmental risks.”1
The statement said in part:
Every staff member who came forward was given the opportunity to be interviewed by the Occupational Health and Safety team to evaluate each diagnosis in the context of their individual medical history and risk factors. To evaluate for any possible environmental exposures in that area of the hospital, comprehensive environmental assessments following CDC guidelines began in December.1
Those conducting the investigation found no environmental risks that could be linked to the development of a brain tumor. The findings were presented to stakeholder groups, including the staff on the unit and the Massachusetts Nursing Association, and forums were held to meet with clinical and Occupational Health leaders to answer their questions. The hospital is providing the MNA with the test results from the investigation, including those of several external environmental firms.1
The signed statement concluded:
Based on these results, we can confidently reassure our dedicated team members at Mass General Brigham/Newton-Wellesley Hospital and all our patients that there is no environmental risk at our facility. As always, the health and wellbeing of our staff, clinicians, and patients is our absolute top priority.1
Pollution and Water Contaminants Lurk in ‘Clean’ Hospital Town
Newton, Massachusetts—home to Mass General Brigham/Newton-Wellesley Hospital—projects the image of a clean, affluent suburb with a low crime rate, but it is no stranger to documented environmental risks. In 2024, Newton found itself on a list of the 300 dirtiest cities in America, ranking 27 out of 300 for air pollution. The city also was ranked “moderate” for noise and light pollution.2
Additionally, tap water in Newton, Massachusetts, contains several contaminants flagged by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) as potential health risks, including bromodichloromethane, chloroform, and multiple haloacetic acids—all of which exceed EWG’s health guidelines by significant margins. Several of the identified contaminants are classified as possible carcinogens and have shown neurotoxic or developmental effects in laboratory studies. The presence of these compounds in levels far above what EWG considers safe raises legitimate concerns about their long-term impact on human health and whether they could be contributing factors in the alarming cluster of brain tumor diagnoses among hospital staff.3
Newton’s water quality issues are not isolated, but part of a broader national problem—one made more dangerous by outdated federal regulations and inconsistent oversight, as outlined in an alarming new tap water report published by the EWG last month.4
Hospital’s Staff Layoffs and Brain Tumor Cluster Announcement Occurred Just Weeks Apart
In February, just weeks before the tumor cluster announcement, the hospital eliminated approximately 1,500 jobs, primarily in non-patient-facing roles, which raised concerns about potential impacts on hospital operations and staff well-being. While the hospital’s investigation concluded that there are “no environmental risks” linked to the brain tumor diagnoses, some are concerned that the timing of significant staffing reductions could exacerbate existing anxiety among the hospital’s healthcare workers and lead to increased workloads, heightened stress, and potential delays in addressing environmental or occupational health issues.5
Neurosurgeon Suggests Ionizing Radiation Exposures May Be Tied to Unusual Brain Tumor Cluster
“The most common environmental risk factor for these types of tumors is ionizing radiation,” Neurosurgeon Betsy Grunch, MD said in a LinkedIn post. “But you have to figure if it was radiation exposure, they would be having cancers all over the body—not just the brain, unless there is some source of ionizing radiation exposure directly to the head.” Dr. Grunch also points to a similar case of a brain tumor cluster observed at Colonia High School in Woodbridge, New Jersey, where more than 100 former students and staff have been diagnosed with brain tumors over the past three decades. Both situations involve unusual brain tumor cases within a specific population and point to environmental exposures as a potential cause.6 7
Nurses Call for Independent Investigation
The hospital administration claiming no environmental link to the 10 brain tumor diagnoses did not quell persisting concerns among its staff, prompting nurses to call for an independent investigation. “I think the nurses should be the first people—because we’re the ones that brought it to their attention—to be told, and we feel like we have been the last to be informed on anything,” the anonymous nurse said.8
“I think the concern is [that] we don’t know what it is, and nurses are scared, they’re worried, and they want to make sure they’re not working in an unsafe place,” Paula Ward of the Massachusetts Nurse Association said in an interview.8
Mass General Brigham/Newton-Wellesley Hospital maintains that “not all of the nurses were on the unit at the same time and noted that some of the diagnoses pre-date the COVID-19 pandemic.”8
A Search for Explanation of Statistically Significant Brain Tumor Increases Among Nurses
While brain tumors are typically rare, emergence of a cluster among nurses in the same maternity ward strongly suggests a shared environmental or occupational exposure. Potential contributors include ionizing radiation from medical equipment, exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs), and long-term contact with hospital disinfectants or sterilants. Additionally, Newton’s water supply contains contaminants that exceed EWG health guidelines and are classified as possible carcinogens or neurotoxins. Chronic workplace stress and disrupted circadian rhythms—common during the overnight “graveyard shifts” often worked by nurses—may also increase vulnerability to illness.9 10 11
The nurses affected are demanding an investigation into the statistically significant association, highlighting the hospital’s obligation to ensure the integrity of the health, safety, and well-being of its staff that includes prioritizing thorough health assessments, maintaining transparent communication, and seriously considering independent reviews to address and resolve ongoing concerns. Although no single factor may be to blame, they maintain that the combination of these possible risks all happening in the same place warrants an independent and thorough investigation into the hospital’s environment and working conditions.
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Click here to view References:1 Germano B. Nurses at Massachusetts hospital concerned about growing number of cancer cases among staff. CBS News Apr. 2, 2025.
2 McKenna J. Mass City Shockingly Lands on “Dirtiest in America” List (2024). Live 95.9 Jan. 17, 2024.
3 Environmental Working Group. Newton, MA 2021–2023 Tap Water Quality Report. EWG Tap Water Database Accessed Apr. 3, 2025.
4 Baker A. Harmful Contaminants Detected in “Almost All Water Systems” in the U.S. The Vaccine Reaction Mar. 31, 2025.
5 Grey N. Mass General Brigham announces destruction of 1,000 jobs in biggest layoff in its history. World Socialist Feb. 17, 2025.
6 Grunch R. Doctor reacts to brain tumor cluster in Massachusetts nurses [LinkedIn post]. LinkedIn Mar. 30, 2025.
7 Lewis K. 100 Brain Tumors Led to Investigation at NJ High School. Mayor Shares Results. Today Apr. 27, 2022.
8 Stern A. At least 10 maternity nurses at the same hospital ward are diagnosed with brain tumors — as expert warns the cases are ‘statistically impossible’ to be a coincidence. Daily Mail Apr. 2, 2025.
9 García-Pérez, J, López-Abente G., Fernández-Navarro P, Morales-Piga A., Gutiérrez-Alvarez M, Núñez-González . Mortality from central nervous system tumours and other malignancies in a cohort of Spanish nuclear workers. BMJ Open, 2024; 14(6), e084285.
10 Coble JB, Dosemeci M., Stewart PA, Blair A, Bowman J, Fine HA, Shapiro WR, Selker RG, Loeffler JS, Black PM, Linet MS, Inskip PD. Occupational exposure to magnetic fields and the risk of brain tumors. Neuro-oncology 2009; 11(3): 242–249.
11 Samanic CM, De Roos AJ, Stewart PA, Rajaraman P, Waters MA, Inskip PD. (2008). Occupational exposure to pesticides and risk of adult brain tumors. American Journal of Epidemiology 2008;167(8): 976–985.
30 Responses
Cell towers on top of the hospital. maternity right underneath them
What an observation, Pollyanna Anne. I think you hit the nail on the head!
What an observation, Polly Anne. I think you hit the nail on the head!
Bingo – thinking you hit the bullseye. Ionizing radiation from close 5G towers, possibly even ramped up to 6 or 7G as planned. Pray the Trump administration will eliminate this horrific threat to our health!
Trump was the one that pushed 5G with his 5G fast plan!
MY COMMENTS COME FROM READING DR MERCOLA – HE HAS SAID THAT EMF’s HAVE CAUSED MANY THINGS TO OUR BODIES TO DISRUPT OUR BODIES, BRAINS, CAUSING MANY OTHER ILLNESSES. THE MORE WE ARE EXPOSED, THE MORE WE MAY OR CAN BE SICK AND DISABLED. I KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE FOR ME. I OFTEN GO OUTSIDE EITHER IN MY GARDEN OR AT THE OCEAN AND THAT ALONE CALMS ME AND RESTORES MY SOUL AND MIND AND BODY. BALANCE IS WHAT WE NEED IN OUR WORLD TODAY!!
The hospital wants to kill the nurses
What was the status and number of covid vaccines given?
What was the % of nurses who used cell phones with ear pods or held up the cell phone to the ears?
I think as we pursued 3G then 4G and now 5G we will see the increase in these tumors—I rarely have my cellphone close by me (ie: in pocket of pants etc) and usually have it on speaker phone mode so do not have it too close to my ears/head when talking. I also do not allow unwired headphones or air pods/buds. I think with all the people using air pods/buds there will be an increase of these tumors—sadly 🙁 I try to use common sense with all the new technology and am wary about exposure to 5G in particular and microwave usage too. I believe that everyone carrying a cellphone in their pocket is making themselves vulnerable to cancers of internal organs — stomach/colon/uterus/testes in particular.
Has anyone considered the covid vaccine?
I was thinking the exact same thing.
As stated in the article, some cases pre-date the covid “pandemic”.
Time to “lawyer up”? Cite ALL OF THE TOP ADMINISTRATORS, BOARDs, and anyone else connected with dismissing the above “clustering” of illness, and bring in the law hammers??
Map out where every known source of EM radiation is in the hospital and surrounding area; test out all EM equipment at the hospital for strength of EM signals.
A group effort. Naturally. Perhaps contact other hospitals with similar equipment and see if there are any correspondences with the Mass. hospital.
It was reported on several other sources that all of the nurses got the jab. Is there credibility to this?
https://issuu.com/newtonwellesleyhospital/docs/nwh_news_springsummer_2023
“Pregnancy can unmask a predisposition for future health issues. She says. It’s like a stress test for your body. As she notes, heightened risks also unveil deeper societal issues such has health care disparities and systemic racism.”
Must be the racism.
Also from this article; In 2020 the special care unit grew from 12 to 16 beds. / Picture of one of the baby care beds and equipment on the last few pages.
OMG!!! Is it true, as one of the responders here has typed, that there is a cell tower on the hospital roof? Above the maternity ward???
Polly Anne made a good point. cell towers located on roof above the maternity ward can be relevant to the cause of these tumors and should be investigated
I wish medical people, and their institutions, would publicly point to EM radiation as a cause of cancer and raise the alarm.
I had read an article that the nurses union spokesperson said 17 cases of brain tumors. Both the hospital and the union said that vaccines would not even be considered for cause, which was my first thought — hot lot. But the type of tumors, mostly benign meningiomas, could be radiation with the 5G dishes on the roof of the 5th floor or x-ray. The oncology pharmacy was also directly below on the 4th floor. It’s just a really toxic environment.
6 miles away from Newton is MIT which is doing experimentation with nuclear energy. Also is has air quality on par with China.
It could be nurses have access to healthcare and know the signs of something being wrong faster than the rest of general population.
The infants are receiving 10X the radiation as the nurses and their thin skulls and developing nervous system means they are extremely vulnerable.
Better Start Checking the Baby’s……………………………………..
Ho many of the nurse received COVID shots and boosters. That would be an indicator if not a huge red flag.
Good point, but not just the nurses who got the shot. It would only take a few to get the shot and then unknowingly shed the result of the shot to others in their work environment.
Are the nurses the only ones with the tumors? Or are there any other staff members with them? If yes, then need analysis of their controlled exposures including time spent in areas vs others.
Every floor corridor of the hospital is transmitting wifi.
Almost every room is also equipped with wireless routers.
The Hospital has chosen to rent It’s roof space to a cellular telecommunications provider to house cellular antennaes and recieve income from same, right on top of the maternity ward ceiling !!!!!!!
On any given day, there are at least 100 plus laptops and cell phones transmitting simultaneously throughout the hospital, not to mention patient,vendor,and visitor smart phones.
There are emeters on the building as well.
The nurses face all of this,in addition to whatever exposure load they also must bear at home, in commute, and on their person (smart phone)
And finally, there are additional toxic EMF contributions from the vicinity as well.
The Roof Towers must go !!!
My take on this is, YES! Radiation is the most obvious reason to be suspected. Hospitals are over saturated with all forms of radiation from CT Scans, MRI scans, X-Ray machines, and the most deadly, weaponized 5G microwave radiation from all WIFI devices in use from wireless computers, wireless tablets, and wireless cameras, and especially, wireless 4G, 5G cellphones.
RESEARCHER & PUBLISHER
I see a lot of health professionals wearing blue tooth head sets all the time. I worry about it. Could this be a factor?
The cause may already been eliminated. We also have to look at previous exposure.
Do these nurses strictly work on the Maternity Ward? I worked years ago in a Labor and Delivery area that had multiple delivery rooms, plus we also worked the ward. In a small, busy delivery area, the turnover sometimes would be so fast that nurses would have to help clean, too. Exposure to environmental cleaning agents can occur when multitasking in a busy hospital environment. Whether the underlying reason was cleaning agents or cell tower emissions or even another etiology. The common fact, that so many nurses develop tumors from the same working environment is very questionable in my opinion. Nurses with the tumors should be offered free comprehensive testing and the ward should be temporarily closed for an extensive investigation. Perhaps, a research study to examine Radio Frequency (RF) Radiation levels using Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) meters. Multiple EF meters could be use to accurately determine measurements for RF 5G vs. other potential sources such as Wi-Fi, cordless phones, and other electrical equipment. The number of cases involving nurses with tumors is alarming and would be horrific if this incident that has occurred is not pursued on behalf of fellow nurses.
Thank you.