FAQ's

Researchers from Cal State Fullerton, led by Dr. Jennifer Piazza, are conducting independent environmental research in Ladera Ranch. Ladera Health Watch helped connect researchers with the community and facilitate access, but the researchers determine the scientific methods, sampling locations, analysis, and interpretation of results.

Yes.On September 9, 2026, the LARMAC Board approved access for Cal State Fullerton researchers to conduct non-invasive environmental sampling on LARMAC property. Sampling subsequently began in Ladera Ranch on September 13, 2026.Testing on property controlled by other entities requires permission from the appropriate property owner or agency.

The research team is beginning with environmental samples that may include soil and water, with laboratory analysis for selected substances of interest, including metals and certain pesticides.The study may evolve as researchers review initial results and determine whether additional locations, sample types, or analytes should be investigated.

Residents have raised questions about a number of potential environmental exposures in and around Ladera Ranch.The purpose of the CSUF research is to gather objective environmental data and help determine whether anything identified in the environment warrants further investigation.It is an exploratory scientific study. Researchers are not beginning with the assumption that a particular contaminant is present or that any environmental exposure caused illness in Ladera Ranch.

Not from environmental sampling alone.Environmental testing can tell researchers whether particular substances are present and, in some circumstances, at what concentrations. It cannot by itself establish that an exposure caused a particular person's cancer or explain a community pattern of disease.Questions about cancer incidence, individual exposures, tumor biology and environmental measurements require different kinds of research. Ladera Health Watch is pursuing those questions through several separate scientific and public-health efforts.

No. The CSUF work is independent academic research.Separate reviews and investigations may also be conducted by government agencies. Academic research can help identify questions or findings that warrant additional investigation by regulators or public-health authorities.

California's Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program, or ELAP, accredits laboratories for specific environmental analyses used for regulatory purposes.The CSUF project is an academic research study, not regulatory compliance testing. ELAP accreditation is therefore not a blanket requirement for the research to be scientifically meaningful.If researchers identify a finding that requires regulatory confirmation or enforcement action, appropriately accredited laboratory testing can be performed where required.ELAP accreditation and academic scientific research serve different purposes. One does not invalidate the other.

Chain-of-custody procedures are particularly important when samples may ultimately be used for regulatory, enforcement or legal purposes.Academic researchers also maintain sample-identification, handling and documentation procedures appropriate to their research protocol. If a preliminary finding requires regulatory confirmation, new samples can be collected using whatever formal chain-of-custody and accredited-laboratory procedures the relevant agency requires.

An unusual laboratory result would be a starting point, not a conclusion.Depending on the finding, researchers may:repeat the analysis;collect additional samples;compare results with background or reference locations;test additional locations;use another analytical method or laboratory;consult specialists; orrecommend confirmatory testing by an appropriate accredited laboratory or government agency.Only after that process would researchers determine what the finding may mean.

That is also useful information.The purpose of research is not to prove that something is wrong. Testing can help rule out hypotheses, narrow the investigation, identify areas that do not appear unusual, and determine where further resources should—or should not—be directed.

Researchers need time to analyze samples, review quality-control information, interpret results and determine whether findings need to be replicated.Ladera Health Watch will share information when the research team believes it can be accurately and responsibly communicated. We do not want to create unnecessary alarm from an isolated or unconfirmed laboratory result.

No.Ladera Health Watch has helped identify community questions, provide background information, connect researchers with residents and property owners, and facilitate access.Scientific decisions belong to the researchers.

No.At this time, no environmental exposure has been established as the cause of the reported cancers in Ladera Ranch.The purpose of this work is to replace speculation with data and to make sure reasonable questions are investigated by qualified experts.