Troubling report links Phillies brain cancer cluster with turf chemicals

Six former Philadelphia Phillies died of brain cancer. If there’s a link to be found, it’s in the turf at the now-demolished Veterans Stadium.

Turf fields have been on the outs for the last decade or so, instead being replaced by natural grass. However, plenty remain in active use.

That could change given the studies of the turf used at Veterans Stadium, the former home of the Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Eagles.

The Philadelphia Inquirer examined an old piece of the turf that was saved as memorabilia, and found ‘forever chemicals’, or PFAs, which can cause all sort of diseases and even cancer. It’s unknown if there is a link between PFAs and glioblastoma, as the Inquirer received different answers from several studies and experts alike.

Phillies: Veterans Stadium turf had traces of forever chemicals

“We know that the liver is affected,” Graham Peaslee, a physicist at the University of Notre Dame who studies PFAs, told the newspaper. “We know that the kidneys are affected. We know the testicles are affected. But nobody’s ever done the study to see if the brain is affected, because glioblastoma is such a rare disease.”

Per the Inquirer, the rate of former Phillies who played from the team between 1971-2003 is three times higher than the normal national average. While it could be a mere coincidence, it’s worth investigating. Any surefire answer could change sports forever.

“It’s a cluster, and it needs to be examined,” Dr. Marc Seigel mention on a FOX broadcast. “The amount of incidents of deadly brain cancer are about three out of 100,000. This is three or four times that or more.”

Larry Bowa, who was with the Phillies for decades, discussed the possibility of a link as well:

“I know cancer is a big illness in our society,” Bowa said, “but to have that many (Phillies) guys get brain cancer … I’m not trying to blame anybody. It’s just sort of strange that can happen to one team playing at the Vet.”