An investigation by The Philadelphia Inquirer is raising questions about dangerous chemicals found in the former astroturf at Veterans Stadium and the deaths of six retired Phillies players who all died from an aggressive form of brain cancer.
The newspaper found that toxic “forever chemicals” were present in the turf, which was used from 1977 to 2001. The six players — David West, Ken Brett, John Oates, Tug McGraw, Darren Daulton and John Vukovich — all dealt with “glioblastoma,” dying before the age of 60.
The Inquirer obtained pieces of the turf that were used from 1977 to 1981 and had two labs examine the turf through a series of tests. The labs found the turf contained 16 different types of PFAS, or “per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances,” which the Environmental Protection Agency has said can cause “adverse health effects that can devastate families.”
Experts, however, said that there wasn’t enough data to understand whether the forever chemicals caused the former players’ cancer, with no studies linking the chemicals to cancer.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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