Overview

• Six staff members from the fifth-floor maternity unit at Newton-Wellesley Hospital have been diagnosed with benign brain tumors, according to hospital officials.
• The hospital's investigation, led by the Department of Occupational Health and Safety with input from independent experts, has not identified any environmental risks linked to the cases.
• The Massachusetts Nurses Association has criticized the hospital's testing methods as insufficient and is conducting its own investigation, with results expected in one to two weeks.
• Staff members have raised concerns about potential workplace factors, including mask usage, drinking water, and X-ray exposure, despite official reassurances of safety.
• Reports suggest the number of affected staff could be higher than the six confirmed cases, with some nurses estimating up to 10 diagnoses in recent years.