Cal State Fullerton Scientists Test Ladera Ranch Park Soil and Water for Contaminants Amid Ewing Sarcoma Cluster Concerns
Cal State Fullerton researchers completed initial soil and water sampling at three Ladera Ranch parks in mid-September 2026, prompted by community concern over a cluster of Ewing sarcoma diagnoses; no results have been released and the study remains in its first phase.
CSUF professors Daniel Curtis, Paula Hudson, and Stevan Pecic, with approximately a dozen undergraduates; the broader Ladera Ranch community of roughly 26,000 residents.
A voluntary, multiyear environmental study by Cal State Fullerton chemistry faculty and undergraduates, sampling soil and water at three Ladera Ranch parks for lead, arsenic, chromium, and pesticide residues — prompted by a community-reported cluster of Ewing sarcoma cases.
Three Ladera Ranch parks: Boreal Plunge, Wagsdale Dog Park, and Town Green (unincorporated Orange County, adjacent to Mission Viejo).
Sampling conducted Sept. 13–14, 2026. No results have been released as of the last update (Sept. 27, 2026).
Community concern over a reported cluster of Ewing sarcoma — a rare pediatric bone and soft-tissue cancer — with accounts citing between six and nine diagnoses in the community since 2007.
No laboratory results have been released as of Sept. 27, 2026. The CSUF team completed its initial two-day field sampling phase and has entered lab analysis. The study is not a finding of contamination; it is a preliminary screening effort.
Cal State Fullerton chemistry professors Daniel Curtis, Paula Hudson, and Stevan Pecic, accompanied by roughly a dozen undergraduates, collected soil and water samples on Sept. 13–14, 2026 at three Ladera Ranch parks: Boreal Plunge, Wagsdale Dog Park, and Town Green. The work was initiated in response to community concern over a reported cluster of Ewing sarcoma, a rare pediatric bone and soft-tissue cancer.
NBC4 reported at least six cases in the roughly 26,000-resident community. A subsequent account cited as many as nine diagnoses since 2007. Both figures remain unverified through official public-health channels in the available evidence.
According to the OC Register, tests target lead, arsenic, chromium, and pesticide residues. The team is also conducting bacterial transformation work. Air sampling is planned as a subsequent phase. Curtis told the Register: "We don't want to find anything, to be honest."
NBC4 initially indicated first results could come within a week of sampling. No results have been publicly reported as of the most recent evidence (Sept. 27, 2026).
- Release of initial lab results from the Sept. 13–14 sampling.
- Air sampling phase commencement and scope.
- Any response from Orange County public health authorities or state epidemiologists.
- Whether the reported case count receives official confirmation or epidemiological review.
- Sep 13, 09:00(15 days ago)
Sept. 13–14: CSUF professors Daniel Curtis, Paula Hudson and Stevan Pecic and about a dozen undergraduates collect soil and water samples at Boreal Plunge, Wagsdale Dog Park and Town Green.
- Sep 14, 13:00(14 days ago)
NBC4 reports at least six Ewing sarcoma cases in the roughly 26,000-resident community and says first results could come within the week.
- Sep 26, 23:45(2 days ago)
OC Register profiles the study: lead, arsenic, chromium and pesticide screens plus bacterial transformation work, with air sampling planned and no results yet. Curtis: "We don't want to find anything, to be honest."
- NEW2 days ago
Scientists are testing dirt and water samples taken from community parks in the first phase of what will likely be a multiyear study.