[ 28 May 2005 ]

US Statistical Assessment Service publishes excellent critique of endocrine study

Alarmist media reporting misinterprets the already doubtful findings

The Statistical Assessment Service (STATS) at George Mason University in the United States has published an excellent critique of the study and the subsequent alarmist publicity which last week claimed to demonstrate for the first time "a highly significant relationship" between human exposure to phthalates and adverse changes in the genitals of baby boys.

The critique of the media coverage focuses on an article in USA Today. However, similarly distorted media coverage has appeared in several other countries.

• The report by STATS
• ECPI statement and comments on the study 
• ECPI additional technical commentary

For further information please contact:

Tim Edgar
European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates
Avenue E Van Nieuwenhuyse 4,
B-1160 Brussels, Belgium

Telephone: 0032 2 676 7363
Mobile: 0032 475 37 66 93