Critics say DuPont has spent too little on testing Ohio and West Virginia residents for contamination from a chemical used to make Teflon, while paying millions to a lawyer overseeing the testing program.
The Columbus Dispatch DuPont spent about $860,000 on testing over a 2 1/2-year period for contamination from the chemical used to make Teflon at its Washington Works plant, along the Ohio River.
A court filing this month revealed the lawyer who oversees the testing program was paid nearly $15 million.
Cincinnati attorney Robert Bilott filed a class-action lawsuit against DuPont alleging the company released C8-tainted water into the Ohio River. The company settled in 2004 and agreed to pay 70,000 residents to have their blood tested for C8.
A science panel reported in 2012 a probable link between C8 and six diseases including kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease and pregnancy-induced high blood pressure.
Out of the 99,000 “potential participants” for the blood testing program, 6,678 people have registered. Of those accepted for monitoring, about 2,000 have seen a doctor.
Bilott says the company has more than enough funds to cover the program’s cost.
Chemours, a DuPont associated company, now produces Teflon at Washington Works. The chemical C8 was replaced by a new compound called GenX in 2012.
Related:
- Ohio Jury Orders DuPont to Pay $10.5M over Leaked Chemical
- DuPont Found Liable in West Virginia Toxic Water Lawsuit
- Ohio Jury Hits DuPont with $2M Ruling over Teflon-making Chemical
- DuPont Ordered to Pay $5.1M in Suit over Teflon-Related Chemical
- Groups Press Dow-DuPont to Reveal Teflon Liabilities Before Merger Vote
Topics Ohio
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