To the Editors of The Crimson:

I am writing to express the serious concerns of the Office of Scientific Integrity and the National Institutes of Health regarding headlines that appeared over two stories published by your newspaper on November 16 and 17. The articles concerned the Harvard University "Six Cities Study." The headline of particular concern read, "Air Study May Have False Data, NIH Says." This headline has no basis in fact.

Neither the National Institutes of Health nor the Office of Scientific Integrity has stated at any time that the Six Cities Study is under investigation. We have neither confirmed nor denied any action in this matter, and have declined any additional comment. Thus, the headline in your story is simply not true. Susanne W. Hadley   Acting Director Office of Scientific Integrity, National Institutes of Health