CHARLESTON, W.Va. July 8, 2005
Testing For Teflon Chemical Begins
DuPont Pays For Screening Of Ohio, W. Va. Residents
-
(AP / CBS)
-
Interactive Eye On The Environment Find out how global warming, air pollution and alternative forms of energy impact our world.
DuPont agreed to the health screenings to settle a 2001 lawsuit filed by residents who alleged the company intentionally withheld and misrepresented information concerning the nature and extent of the human health threat posed by C8 in drinking water. About $70 million has been allocated for resident payments and lab work.
Though used since World War II, C8's long-term effects on humans are unknown.
A federal scientific review panel has said the chemical is “likely” to be carcinogenic to humans, but DuPont officials have disputed the draft report. The panel agreed earlier this week to revise the draft to better reflect opposing viewpoints before submitting it to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The goal is to complete the collection process in one year and turn the information over to a court-appointed panel of three epidemiologists, Maher said.
Based on the findings, DuPont could be required to spend another $235 million to monitor the residents' health.
“If they don't find a link, that's the end of the thing,” Brooks said. “If they do, it goes into another process with other scientists involved.”
The settlement also called for DuPont to provide the six water utilities with new treatment equipment to reduce the chemical in water supplies at an estimated cost of $10 million.
In a separate matter, DuPont has set aside $15 million to settle EPA complaints that the company failed to report information over two decades about the potential environmental and human health risks of the chemical, although no agreement has been reached. In May, the company was served with a subpoena from a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., for documents related to the chemical.
©MMV, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
More From Health
