New allegations of blood tampering in Tar Creek study

There are new developments as allegations of "blood tampering" intensify in the Tar Creek superfund site. <br/><br/>Three former employees of the Tribal Efforts Against Lead - or TEAL project, recently

Monday, February 14th 2005, 6:26 am

By: News On 6

There are new developments as allegations of "blood tampering" intensify in the Tar Creek superfund site.

Three former employees of the Tribal Efforts Against Lead - or TEAL project, recently reported seeing phlebotomists substitute their own blood for the blood of several children.

The University of Oklahoma is overseeing the study. Investigators say they've proven the allegations false. But the Joplin Globe reports 15% of the blood samples taken for the study either can't be located, or can't be scientifically excluded from the blood-tampering scandal.

The federally-funded TEAL project monitored children's lead levels to determine whether lead cleanup and education projects are working. The projects are overseen by the EPA, TEAL, and the Oklahoma Department of Health. They have all cited "TEAL" as proof their publicly-funded efforts are lowering the number of children affected by lead.

OU continues to defend the study's validity.