Environmental group claims Connecticut artificial turf study was fixed

ERJ staff report (DS)

Hartford, Connecticut -- An environmental group, Environment and Human Health, Inc. claims that the results and conclusions of a recent State-sponsored study into artificial turf were massaged to allay public fears.

In a press release, EHHI said it was, "astonished to learn that, despite the significant health and safety concerns shown in the Connecticut Department of Public Health's (DPH) Artificial Turf Study, the state agency was urged to re-frame its press release so as not to alarm the public."

EHHI claims that a peer reviewer, "advised that the findings of the artificial turf study "be softened" to avoid causing the public to be alarmed." EHHI pointed the finger at the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE).

The CASE report urged the DPH to change its press release headline from "The Results Indicate Cancer Risks Slightly Above De Minimis Levels for All Scenarios Evaluated" to the more reassuring headline, "Result of State Artificial Turf Study: No Elevated Health Risk."

The full report; the CASE peer review report and the finished press release can be seen through the links below

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Press release from EHHI

Press release from Connecticut Dept of Environmental Protection

Full report from Connecticut Dept of Environmental Protection

Peer review report from CASE

Press release from EHHI