Many people in Passaic County first suspect a connection after a cancer or serious medical diagnosis. In Paterson, concerns often trace back to circumstances like:
- Landscaping and property maintenance: workers applying weed control along sidewalks, fences, apartment grounds, or commercial lots where residents may pass frequently.
- Shared spaces and multi-unit homes: residue on boots/clothing that gets carried into common areas, basements, garages, or back hallways.
- Backyard and tenant-driven treatment: homeowners, landlords, or tenants using weed killer to manage weeds near walkways and building perimeters.
- Construction and utility-adjacent work: crews working near areas where vegetation is regularly treated for visibility, access, or safety.
A key point for residents: exposure doesn’t always look like “spraying a yard for hours.” Sometimes it’s recurring, practical contact—handled products, treated surfaces, or clothing/gear that returns indoors.


