Town expecting state EPA guidance on toxic chemicals found by mom at Colonia H.S.

The Woodbridge school district has requested an environmental consultant develop a comprehensive plan of action that will provide a framework for testing at Colonia High in light of toxic chemicals found at the school through independent testing, NJ Advance Media has learned.

The latest development was outlined by Woodbridge superintendent Joseph Massimino in a memo sent to district parents Wednesday and obtained by NJ Advance Media.

Massimino said in the memo that he accompanied township officials, representatives from the Woodbridge department of health and an environmental consultant to Colonia Tuesday to facilitate their review into this matter.

We have asked the environmental consultant to develop a comprehensive plan of action that will provide a framework for testing, Massimino wrote.

He added that the plan would be submitted to the state Department of Environmental Protection for review, discussion and approval before any testing is done.

Massimino did not provide a timeline in the memo, but said he expected the state to provide recommendations and guidance in the upcoming days.

It is imperative that our district take action that is guided by experts and follows a comprehensive plan that is approved by leading state agencies, Massimino wrote.

The development comes two days after the mother of two Colonia students who believed not enough environmental testing was done in the aftermath of reports of a possible brain tumor cluster connected to the school found evidence of highly toxic chemicals at Colonia through her own independent testing.

The mother, Edyta Komorek, who has worked as an environmental scientist since 2006, said she collected dust, window caulk and soil samples from Colonia that tested for excessive levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlordane, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide all carcinogenic compounds that can lead to cancer and other diseases.

Komorek presented her findings Monday to Massimino, Colonia principal Kenneth Pace and Woodbridge Education Association president Brian Geoffroy, and the district sent the information to state and local environmental officials.

Woodbridge mayor John E. McCormac said Tuesday the township is working in conjunction with the school district to evaluate what we were given and collectively determine the best course of action.

He added that there is no indication that the school building or grounds are not safe right now, and if we had information otherwise, we certainly would act.

Any time theres information like this, were concerned, McCormac said. But we need to be guided by experts.

Our journalism needs your support. Please consider subscribing to NJ.com.

Matthew Stanmyre may be reached at mstanmyre@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattStanmyre. Find NJ.com on Facebook.