CDPH Launches Ladera Cancer Page; LARMAC Extends Pesticide Pause
- Aug 25
- 3 min read
Several significant developments are underway involving cancer surveillance, environmental-health research and pesticide policy in Ladera Ranch.
California Department of Public Health Creates Ladera Ranch Cancer Concern Page
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has created a dedicated public page addressing cancer concerns in Ladera Ranch.
CDPH confirms that the California Cancer Registry is conducting a focused assessment of cancer incidence in the Ladera Ranch area in response to community concerns involving Ewing sarcoma and other cancers. The assessment uses cancer data through 2023 and census-tract-level information that allows for a more localized analysis than was available during the earlier 2024 review.
CDPH currently expects the assessment to be completed in fall 2026.
The agency also identifies pesticide use as a specific concern raised by residents and reports that the California Department of Pesticide Regulation and Orange County Agricultural Commissioner are reviewing local pesticide use, including records, pesticide-company practices and field applications.
No environmental cause of Ewing sarcoma or the reported cancers in Ladera Ranch has been established.
LARMAC Extends Landscape Product Pause
On August 27, LARMAC announced an extension of its landscape-product pause from 60 to 120 days, through November 14.
The extension followed concerns raised by members of the Landscape Advisory Committee regarding the recent use of Specticle G during LARMAC's weed-management pilot. The committee requested that Specticle G be added to the products paused while a new Integrated Pest Management policy is developed.
LARMAC agreed. The pause now includes Lifeline, Atrimmec and Specticle G.
The Advisory Committee continues to advocate for an organic-first approach that prioritizes prevention, soil health and nonchemical weed-management methods and minimizes reliance on synthetic pesticides.
The next Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for September 2.
State Sustainable Pest Management Grant Application Under Development
LARMAC is working on an application to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation's 2027 Sustainable Pest Management Grants Program.
The state program provides awards of $100,000 to $1 million for projects that advance sustainable pest management through research, implementation, tools and outreach. DPR identifies weed management as one area eligible for funding.
Ladera Health Watch encouraged LARMAC to pursue the grant as a potential source of outside funding to support the transition toward lower-risk and nonchemical landscape-management practices.
The proposal is competitive and no funding has been awarded.
Environmental Research Planning Continues
Dr. Jennifer Piazza and researchers at California State University, Fullerton are continuing to develop preliminary environmental research related to concerns raised in Ladera Ranch, including potential soil and water sampling.
Research questions, sampling methodology, locations and necessary approvals are still being developed. Environmental sampling has not yet begun.
Ladera Health Watch is also continuing to consult with environmental-health researchers and technical experts regarding potential exposure pathways, historical environmental conditions and appropriate methods for further investigation.
The purpose of this work is to develop research capable of answering defined scientific questions rather than drawing conclusions from isolated environmental measurements.
Pesticide Policy Changes Extend Beyond Ladera Ranch
The discussion surrounding pesticide use in Ladera Ranch is increasingly contributing to broader examination of landscape-management practices elsewhere in Orange County.
Capistrano Unified School District is developing a new Integrated Pest Management approach while its current pause on routine landscape weed-control spraying remains in effect. Ladera Health Watch is also working with organic land-care experts, nonprofit organizations and policymakers on strategies to reduce unnecessary pesticide exposures and expand safer land-management practices.
On August 28, the Orange County Register reported on how concerns originating in Ladera Ranch have contributed to broader pesticide-policy discussions across Orange County.
