BOSTON — Another Newton-Wellesley Hospital staffer who worked in the maternity wing has reportedly been diagnosed with a brain tumor.

This sixth tumor case on the fifth floor of the Mass General Brigham facility comes as officials continue to assure staff and patients that there’s “no environmental risk” at the hospital.

Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Nurses Association have said the hospital’s environmental testing was “not comprehensive,” and the union is still investigating the situation.

The nurses diagnosed with brain tumors have worked in the maternal care labor/delivery unit on the hospital’s fifth floor.

Five brain tumor cases — all benign (non-cancerous) — had been reported as of last week. Now, the hospital is reporting a sixth case, according to the Mass General Brigham Department of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS).

“To date, through their employee interview process, OHS has identified six staff members who have worked for varying durations on the fifth floor and report developing benign (non-cancerous) brain tumors,” Ellen Moloney, president and COO of Mass General Brigham/Newton-Wellesley Hospital, wrote to patients and families. “While the OHS investigation is ongoing, we have found no evidence that these medical conditions were caused by the work environment.”

The investigation has been led by the Mass General Brigham Department of Occupational Health and Safety, and conducted by a multi-disciplinary group of experts – including several independent firms.

The probe has “involved interviews of impacted staff, a thorough review of air and water quality, and comprehensive testing for any potential radiation, chemical, or pharmaceutical exposures,” Moloney said.

“Based on the results of this rigorous ongoing investigation, we can assure you that no environmental risks have been identified at our hospital,” the official added.

This situation at Newton-Wellesley Hospital was first reported by WBZ.

Staff members have raised several concerns about this cluster of cases. The hospital has addressed questions about whether brain tumor cases can be related to: wearing masks during the pandemic, the drinking water, use of x-rays, or the pharmacy on the floor below.

“As always, your health, wellbeing, and safety – along with that of our employees – remain our top priority,” Moloney said. “While there has been a great deal of misinformation shared on social media and in other forums, we want to make sure you have the facts.”

The Massachusetts Nurses Association’s division of health and safety, consisting of occupational health nurses, is investigating the cluster.

“We are glad to see the hospital is continuing to look into this situation,” a Massachusetts Nurses Association spokesperson said in a statement. “Our investigation is ongoing, and we will share the results when our health and safety division completes its review of the diagnoses reported to the MNA.”

The union expects to be able to share its investigation results with the hospital and then the public in one to two weeks.

_____

©2025 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at bostonherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.