Ocean county and cancer? (Toms River: schools, live in, legally)

[indigohope]

Hi everyone
Do you think I should stay away from ocean county due to cancer risks? I read some issues about children w/ strange cancer problems in the past years.

any opinions on this will be helpful.
thanks!

[berryjuice4life]

that has been true for Toms River...I live in Ocean County and we dont have any problems here in Jackson....

[mb919]

Originally Posted by NJmomof2

that has been true for Toms River...I live in Ocean County and we dont have any problems here in Jackson....

It's not even true in all of Toms River. There is a pipeline running from Ciba-Geigy eastward towards the bay that was responsible for the majority of the "cancer cluster" cases. Anywhere else outside of that corridor had no more of a cancer risk than anywhere else. I lived in Toms River for 25 years and had no problems.

[NC little foot]

True, part's of East Tom's River is where the cancer cluster originated. Brick township is NOT connected to their water supply. No problems here in Brick. Also, no problems in the Silverton section of Tom's River. Stay away from East and West Tom's River.

[berryjuice4life]

thank you patti, I know because I know someone in East Toms River, and I wont go there...but I would do your research is all I can say..I havent heard anything new lately but it does linger from time to time that topic...

good luck

[michvic]

Yes the other posts are right, in Toms River there was a plant Ciba Geigi (not sure of the spelling) which made contact lenses on Oakridge pkwy many years ago where most of the locals worked. They were illegally dumping the chemicals and dyes which contaminated the well water. Thus leading to a rise in brain cancer in children in the surrounding area. (just heartbreaking) Since then Ciba became a superfund site and was legally forced to clean up up the mess they left behind. Please let me say that with all the info at hand now it is no longer a problem. If you live right by the plant I would just not use well water for consuption. People now a days use well water only for watering your lawn or washing your car. There was a movie made a few years back with either John Travolta or Julia Roberts (not sure which) that is about this and actually has a statement at the end of the movie confirming this. Let me say I live and love the Toms River area. Just get bottled water to be safe.

[Angel-Star]

Michvic,
Since you are the first person I have seen on here who actually loves and lives in the area could you offer some advice on the area and surrounding towns?
I have been told Bayville,manchester,Berkeley,Toms river are areas to look into.
We are considering moving from monmouth county a little bit further down the pkwy. Schools are my 1st priority since my daughter will be starting kindergarten in Sept.
I don't even know how far down these areas are on the pkwy.
Any info would be helpful
Nancy

[Kingsnkali]

I remember the Toms River Chemical Company when I was a kid back in the 60's. Same site that the newer company was located. It was out in the sticks back then. Kind of a spooky looking place with the big sign at the entrance.

I remember fishing the Toms River and always wondering why there weren't many fish and if that chemical plant was secretly polluting the river...

I hope our water supply north of town (Hilltop Road/Route 9/Rivercrest Manor) wasn't hooked up to this bad water. This is the first I've heard about the cancer thing.

Toms River was an absolutely great place to grow up in the 60's. Very woodsy. Still remember my almost daily bike rides to Pine Lake in the summer with all my fishing gear. Life was so carefree and simple back then. Haven't been there since.

[colby1911]

Originally Posted by michvic

Yes the other posts are right, in Toms River there was a plant Ciba Geigi (not sure of the spelling) which made contact lenses on Oakridge pkwy many years ago where most of the locals worked. They were illegally dumping the chemicals and dyes which contaminated the well water. Thus leading to a rise in brain cancer in children in the surrounding area. (just heartbreaking) Since then Ciba became a superfund site and was legally forced to clean up up the mess they left behind. Please let me say that with all the info at hand now it is no longer a problem. If you live right by the plant I would just not use well water for consuption. People now a days use well water only for watering your lawn or washing your car. There was a movie made a few years back with either John Travolta or Julia Roberts (not sure which) that is about this and actually has a statement at the end of the movie confirming this. Let me say I live and love the Toms River area. Just get bottled water to be safe.

The movie was Erin Brochovitch (ignore the spelling) and your post was very interesting. I never knew that this occurred in new jersey -- always thought it was out in California.

[dcris]

Originally Posted by Kingsnkali

I remember the Toms River Chemical Company when I was a kid back in the 60's. Same site that the newer company was located. It was out in the sticks back then. Kind of a spooky looking place with the big sign at the entrance.

I remember fishing the Toms River and always wondering why there weren't many fish and if that chemical plant was secretly polluting the river...

I hope our water supply north of town (Hilltop Road/Route 9/Rivercrest Manor) wasn't hooked up to this bad water. This is the first I've heard about the cancer thing.

Toms River was an absolutely great place to grow up in the 60's. Very woodsy. Still remember my almost daily bike rides to Pine Lake in the summer with all my fishing gear. Life was so carefree and simple back then. Haven't been there since.

Believe me, you wouldn't recognize the place now, it's been so built up. Actually you can get a real nice aerial view at www.local.live.com.