Markey’s Office Staff Returns-RE/MAX Agent Diagnosed with Brain Cancer
The recent investigation by the EPA of hazards at 5 High Street where Senator Markey’s Medford offices is located seems to be under control. Testing completed two weeks ago by the EPA reveal lower levels of PCE. The current levels of CPE are within an acceptable range according to the EPA. Over the past two weeks, Markey’s staff has returned to work at the Medford office.
During the past two months, Markey’s Medford office remained closed while staff member worked out of Markey’s Framingham office. Although the levels are acceptable, air filtering systems remain in operation throughout the building and office areas.
Prior to the EPA investigation, a RE/MAX Agent whose offices are across the hall from Markey’s 5 High Street office location was diagnosed with Brain Cancer six months earlier. EPA testing of the RE/MAX office remained high while other offices PCE levels were acceptable. The agent who has worked for RE/MAX for several years at this location has and continues to under go treatment has returned to work on limited bases. It’s certainly unclear if the high levels of PCE are the cause of the cancer, however aggressive prevention measures have been taken by the EPA at the office location. One has to questions the possible years of exposure to CPE has any relationship to the agents cancer.
The CDC has reported long term exposure to CPE can cause cancer, should they be looking into the relationship between CPE and the agent’s cancer? Unfortunately the numbers provide by the EPA required an “aggressive responsive” there was no interpretation of the numbers by the EPA. Although Markey’s office left the building for two months, another RE/MAX employee refused to return to work until the issue was resolved, has been replaced. Should the EPA and CDC get more involved? Should employees be tested for high levels of CPE? The limited amount of information by the EPA was surprising, however it was concerning to Markey’s office where they abruptly abandoned their offices.
I wish the best to the RE/MAX agent and those who have been exposed to CPE.
