The link points out a problem nicely. Additionally, They need to look at the individual level. if only a few people are harshly effected, then these statistics will cover them up. Kind of like a situation where on average, there is no reduction of life span. However, 3 people did die immediately.
Your idea sounds plausible to me, assuming that it is trace contamination. Thalidomide issue that you're talking about is the left and right handed mirror images of a molecule called enantiomers. (i.e. left hands don't fit into right handed scissors but both hands have everything connected in the same order.)
Why not just buy adrenochrom from a chemical supply company?
They will be replaced with the 3rd world that don't speak or read the local language.