CLEVELAND -- There are 40 cases of cancer among people who work in the same building at NASA Glenn Research Center.

Dozens of the employees fear that their cancer was triggered by years of working in the developmental engineering building, NewsChannel5 reported.

The union that represents hundreds of scientists and other workers said nearly half of the 100 employees on the third floor of the building have been diagnosed with various forms of cancer in the past three to four years.

"What we've seen in the way of cancer here has just been astronomical on this third floor alone and we're just a little scared," said Dennis Pehotsky, of the Lewis Engineers and Scientists Association.

In a written statement, the head of safety at NASA Glenn said an employee survey shows cancer rates among workers are within the normal range, saying "Glenn management has no evidence of the number of cases that the union is reporting."

Union officials said they believe many employees feared reprisal for answering the survey honestly.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich represents NASA Glenn's district and his office is looking into the matter.

"We're concerned about workplace safety. We want to make sure that the conditions that people work under are not going to damage their health," said Kucinich.

At NASA, where safety is a top priority, employees said they are still waiting for answers.

NASA officials said they have done several tests in recent years that have shown nothing out of the ordinary in the facility, but union officials want more specific testing done for carcinogens.

Glenn officials said they will work with the union to find out more on the matter.