Hundreds of concerned Orange County residents packed a community meeting in Ladera Ranch on Tuesday to address the potential link between a rare form of cancer and pesticides.
Families who’ve been impacted by diagnoses of Ewing sarcoma, a rare bone and soft-tissue cancer, shared their personal stories of loved ones with the illness. They rallied to call for a thorough investigation into whether environmental factors, including pesticides, could be connected to the rare forms of cancer.
The meeting comes after NBC Los Angeles’ reports of multiple children being diagnosed with the disease in Ladera Ranch and neighboring Orange County cities.
“Why are so many young children and adults developing incredibly rare cancers in the same community?” Brian Dalton, who lost his daughter, Lily, to Ewing sarcoma, asked.
Dalton said his daughter grew up in Laguna Niguel and spent a significant amount of time in Ladera Ranch before she was diagnosed. Her case is one of several rare childhood cancer diagnoses that have raised concerns in the community.
“That when something this unusual happens, families deserve answers,” Dalton said. “If there is even a possibility that environmental exposures, including pesticides or any other factor, could be contributing, then those possibilities deserve a thorough, transparent, independent investigation.”
The community meeting comes as the Justice Department asked for an EPA probe following NBCLA’s enterprise reporting. Hetty Chang reports for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
County and state health officials are now reviewing the cancer data in the area and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been asked to investigate. The Ladera Ranch HOA also issued a 60-day pause on certain pesticides they use. There’s no proven direct correlation between pesticides and Ewing sarcoma, but some studies suggest a potential link.
Assemblymember Diane Dixon said lawmakers are working together on a joint review across multiple levels of government to better understand potential environmental exposures in Ladera Ranch. She promised a thorough and transparent investigation.
“Save more lives,” she said. “That is our goal — to save lives and families and have healthy communities.”