The state has opened an investigation into Northport-East Northport schools due to growing concerns that the health and safety of students may be at risk.

The Health Department investigation was prompted by Danielle Desimone, a student who graduated from Northport High School in 2016. She contacted the Health Department and asked for an investigation after she and other classmates were diagnosed with a similar form of cancer.

A letter sent from the school district’s superintendent on Tuesday says the state’s probe would focus on the "entire geographical region of the school district" and "did not have any impact" on the decision to close the middle school.

MORE: District officials announce closure of Northport Middle School for rest of school year 

It was announced over the weekend that students at Northport Middle School would be relocated after an environmental firm detected mercury and benzene near the school’s cesspool and septic systems.

The investigation into the cancer occurrences in the Northport High School's 2016 graduating class is expected to take about 18 months.

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