Dartmouth pilot study draft report under internal review; enrollment remains open

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) told the PFAS commission on July 11 that Dartmouth College has completed the contractual term for a Merrimack health pilot study, and that DHHS is reviewing a draft report. Whitney Hammond of DHHS said Dartmouth’s contract ended June 30 and that DHHS has a draft report under internal review. “We have a draft report that we're reviewing internally, and we'll return back to them, summarizing the results of the four different components of their contract,” Hammond said. DHHS said Dartmouth has agreed to continue enrolling participants in the pilot study between July and September to strengthen statistical analysis. Hammond said Dartmouth plans to present study results and answer questions at the commission’s October meeting. On enrollment logistics, Hammond said recruitment materials remain active and that Dartmouth is the point of contact for people who want to participate. DHHS did not provide enrollment counts in the July update. Discussion vs. decision: this was an informational update on study status, timing, and outreach; no new DHHS policy action was announced at the meeting. Ending: commissioners requested follow‑up presentations and public dissemination of the draft findings when appropriate; Dartmouth is expected to present to the commission in October 2025.