Cluster of Brain Tumors Discovered Among Nurses Who Worked on the Same Maternity Floor at a Boston Hospital

Five nurses have been diagnosed with brain tumors, and still others have health concerns, but the hospital says tests showed “there is not an environmental risk” to staff or patients

Five nurses who worked together on the same maternity unit at a Boston area hospital have been diagnosed with brain tumors — and other staffers have reported health issues.

Out of 11 staff members interviewed by Mass General Brigham’s Newton-Wellesley Hospital, five have been diagnosed with brain tumors that were benign, and six have other, unspecified health concerns, NBC reports.

In a statement to PEOPLE, a rep for the hospital said, “After we became aware of reported brain tumors in individuals who currently or previously had worked in the same area of the hospital, we conducted an extensive investigation in collaboration with the Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Newton-Wellesley Safety Officer, radiation and pharmaceutical safety offices, and external environmental consultants.”

The statement continued: “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 … 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.”

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The hospital provided a more detailed “Fifth Floor Work Environment Q&A” that had been shared with the nursing staff to PEOPLE. The document addressed environmental concerns and gave an update on the situation. It said “5 cases were determined to be brain tumors of 3 different types, all of which were benign (non-cancerous). The only type of benign (non-cancerous) tumor that had more than one case was meningioma,” which is the most common form of brain tumor; It develops in the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, Brain Tumor Research explains. 

The staff Q&A addressed concerns about portable X-ray machines, sharing that “668 x-rays from portable machines [were] performed on the Fifth Floor from 2020-2024 … Even if a staff member had been present for all of these x-rays, however, they would not have absorbed this much exposure (i.e., one meter from the machine) as we utilize appropriate x-ray safety techniques throughout the hospital.”

Geiger counters — electronic devices used to measure radiation — did “not find any abnormal/increased levels of ionizing radiation,” and pharmacy and ventilation equipment was “was found to be operating properly.”

Regarding questions that the tumors were related to mask wearing, decontamination procedures during the Covid-19 pandemic, the hospital said the Occupational Health Services department “performed a comprehensive review of the medical literature as part of the investigation. There is no scientific evidence linking long-term mask use (including processing/re-wearing of masks) to the development of brain tumors. Regarding the decontamination process and the re-use of N-95 respirators during the pandemic the Battelle decontamination system used vaporized hydrogen peroxide that resulted in a breakdown to water and oxygen, thus leaving no chemical contaminants.”

The Q&A also addressed the water supply, sharing that while water is tested regularly, the hospital has since employed an outside lab to test the water and ice machines, and is awaiting results.

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The hospital noted that investigations into previous concerns about construction, pesticide use, and cleaning products found “there is not an environmental risk at Newton-Wellesley Hospital.” The hospital said it’s scheduling a town hall for fifth-floor staff next week to discuss.

The Massachusetts Nursing Association (MNA), however, told PEOPLE in a statement that “The hospital only spoke to a small number of nurses and their environmental testing was not comprehensive. The hospital cannot make this issue go away by attempting to provide a predetermined conclusion.”

The MNA told PEOPLE it is “actively supporting Newton-Wellesley nurses who have brought forward serious medical concerns, focused on brain tumor diagnoses on the 5th floor maternity unit … We have received more than 300 survey responses, emails, and telephone calls. The responses are from current NWH nurses, other professional disciplines at NWH, and from former employees …It will take time to sort through the information received, vet it, and obtain follow-up, including medical records, if respondents are willing to provide them.”

The nurses’ organization concluded, “While we currently cannot release specific numbers or other diagnosis information, we are committed to being transparent about our findings when we have finished verifying the information we collect. Completing this step-by-step process is critical to providing the support Newton-Wellesley nurses deserve.”