Federal Trade Commission Investigates Helmet Companies

Sen. Tom Udall D-N.M. has been urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate possible misleading claims by some helmet companies. His encouragement has paid off because the FTC has recently agreed to investigate such claims.

In a letter written early last week, Udall told FTC Chairman, John Leibowitz, that helmet compaines "appear to be using misleading advertising claims" and that "some helmet reconditioning companies may be falsely selling used helmets as meeting an industry safety standard."

In a letter obtained by the Associated Press on Friday, January 14th, Leibowitz wrote a responding letter to Udall saying, "We agree that these are serious concerns, and will determine what action by this agency may be appropriate."

Issues involving serious health concers- especially those involving childreen and young adults- are a very high priority for the comission, says the letter.

The FTC is specifically concerned about Riddell and Schutt Sports, two leading helmet makers. Misleading safety videos made on these companies' web sites are what concern the FTC. According to Riddell's web site, research shows a 31 percent reduction in the risk of concussion in players who wear its helmets. There does not seem to be much scientific evidence to support this claim, says Udall. The official helmet for the National Football League (NFL) is supplied by Riddell. Udall and the FTC are deeply troubled by these claims from Riddell.

Riddell and Schutt Sports have not commented on the FTC letter. However, at the time of Udall's letter, Riddell called his alligations "unfounded and unfair" and Schutt Sports said the company never claimed its helmets were "concussion reducing."

Futhermore, Riddell CEO, Dan Arment, said, "Riddell has consistently maintained a policy of transparency with all of our research and products and participated in any helmet test when requested. Riddell has exceeded all of the industry standards and conducts and submits to more rigorous testing than most companies in other industries."

Helmets used in the NFL, NCAA, and high schools are required to go through testing developed by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE), but the group's web site says it establishes voluntary test standards and manufacturers test their own helmets. The NOCSAE does not possess a surveillance mechanism to enforce such compliances.

People who participate in high-contact sports such as football are at higher risk for traumatic brain injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1.4 million Americans suffer a traumatic brain injury every year. Fifty thousand die and over 20,000 need hospitalization or some form of traumatic brain injury treatment.

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