EPA Cannot Duplicate Carpet Toxicity Studies

As reported in a Congressional hearing in June, the EPA has so far been unable to duplicate the results of carpet toxicity studies done by Anderson Labs of Dedham, Massachusetts (see EBN

Vol. 2, No. 2, “Mouse-Killing Carpets”). For reasons that remain unclear, the EPA used different test procedures that included percolating the exposed air through water before exposing the mice to it. None of the mice at the EPA lab died. (Replicating the EPA’s procedures, Anderson found evidence that the water extracts toxins from the air.) The EPA has now been given six more months to replicate Anderson's exact procedures and report back to Congress.