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News Coverage

HISTORIC C-8 NEWS COVERAGE

The news media reports below are a sample of significant past news coverage on C8 related issues. If any of the links are expired, please accept our apology. We periodically monitor the links to the extent possible, and make note of expirations when they occur. (We have not included more recent news coverage that is easily accessed through a basic Google search.)

The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare
Nathaniel Rich, The New York Times Magazine, January 6, 2016

Teflon’s Toxic Legacy
Sharon Kelly, Earth Island Journal, December, 2015

Unite and Diversify
Editor, Earth Island Journal, December, 2015

People are Still Exposed to the Teflon Chemical at Unsafe Levels, Group Says
Justin Worland, Time Magazine, September 2, 2015

The Teflon Toxin – The Case Against DuPont
The Intercept, Sharon Lerner, August 2015

The Teflon Toxin – How DuPont Slipped past the EPA
The Intercept, Sharon Lerner, August 2015

Welcome to Beautiful Parkersburg, West Virginia
Mariah Blake, Huffington Post, August 2015

The Teflon Toxin – DuPont and the Chemistry of Deception
The Intercept, Sharon Lerner, August 2015.

DuPont’s Toxic Teflon Problem (Updated)
The Inquirer (PhillyDeals), Joseph N. DiSefano, Friday, August 14,2015

The Toxic Compromise
Folke Ryden Production, 2014

C8 panel needs more time to find links to disease
Charleston Gazette
A panel studying possible links between a chemical used at a DuPont plant in West The C8 Science Panel has already concluded there’s a probable link to

C8 Science Panel needs more time on health reports
The Republic
a chemical used at a West Virginia DuPont plant and various diseases says it The C8 Science Panel already concluded there’s a link to testicular and

Study Continues Regarding DuPont Chemical and Possible Health Risks
WSAZ-TV
at a West Virginia DuPont plant and various diseases says it needs three more months to finish its work. The C8 Science Panel already concluded there’s

Revisiting the reporting on the latest C8 reports (Ken Ward, Jr. Charleston Gazette, August 4, 2011)

U.S. EPA releases new chemical data reporting rule (Robert A. Bilott, Lexology, August 4, 2011)

Teflon Linked to Arthritis (Reuters Health, Eric Schultz, July 2011)

C8 exposure linked to osteoarthritis (Ken Ward, Jr. Charleston Gazette, 6/30/2011)

U.S. EPA reveals short list for potential regulation as drinking water contaminants (Robert A. Bilott, Lexology, June 23, 2011)

U.S. chamber seeks immediate suspension of listings under TSCA Chemical Action Plans (Robert A. Bilott, Lexology, June 9, 2011)


U.S. EPA Releases Chemical Information Under TSCA (Robert A. Bilott, Lexology, June 9, 2011)


Judge Blasts C8 Science Panel (Ken Ward, Jr. Charleston Gazette, 5/18/2011)

Why its Taking so Long (Todd Baucher, WTAP News, 5/18/2011)

C8 Panel Working on Final Report (Charleston Daily Mail, AP Featured News, 5/19/2011)

C8 Panel Working on Final Report (Parkersburg News and Sentinel, 5/19/2011)

Judge Sets Hearing with C8 Science Panel (Ken Ward, Jr., Charleston Gazette, 5/17/2011)

New government-sponsored studies confirm low-dose PFOA effects with potentially significant implications for human risk assessment (Robert A. Bilott, Lexology, May 10, 2011)

C8 update: About that new WVU study … (Ken Ward, Jr. Charleston Gazette, 3/30/2011)

“The Parkersburg-area media had an interesting take on last week’s new WVU study about the potential impacts of the toxic chemical C8 on the early onset of menopause among women.”

C8 Exposure Linked to Onset of Menopause (Ken Ward, Jr., Charleston Gazette, 3/23/2011)

“Premature menopause has been found go be linked to a variety of health problems for women. . .” Lead author of the study quoted: “I think this is major.”

EPA Wants C8 Monitoring for Drinking Water (Ken Ward, Jr., Charleston Gazette, March 3, 2011)

The Obama administration has proposed a requirement for public drinking water systems to test their water for the toxic chemical C8.

EPA is preparing a third edition of America’s Children and the Environment (ACE3)

Currently in draft form, ACE3 reviews the current status of biomonitoring of perfluorochemicals. It will address concerns such as PFOA (C8) exposure of children through both food contamination and indoor environments. A significant amount of review concerns adverse birth outcomes resulting from prenatal exposure to PFOA

Chemicals in Rugs, Cookware May Be Linked to Raised Cholesterol in Teens — US News and World Report

New study raises worries about chemicals in non-stick cookware — CTV (Canada)

Non-stick pan chemicals ‘may raise child cholesterol’ — BBC

Cholesterol, non-stick coating chemical linked — The Times of India

Frying pan chemicals linked to raised cholesterol — ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

WVU study links chemical C8 to high cholesterol in children, teens — Charleston Gazette

New Study Links C8 to Thyroid Disease (Parkersburg News and Sentinel, January 23, 2010)

“The researchers analyzed samples from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Study.” . . . “The study noted ‘the prevalence of thyroid disease is markedly higher in women than in men.'” . . . “The study refers to the largest human study of PFOA, which was conducted in the Mid-Ohio Valley as part of the suit’s settlement.” Pamela Brust, Parkersburg News and Sentinel reporter.

C8 Levels Associated With Thyroid Problems
(Point Pleasant Register, January 22, 2010)

“The chemical used by DuPont at its Parkersburg, W. Va., plant and detected several years ago in local water supplies has been linked to thyroid disease in adults.” Brian J. Reed, Point Pleasant Register reporter

Chemical May Be Linked To Thyroid Disease (WebMD, January 21, 2010) “Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has previously been shown to influence thyroid hormone levels in animals. But the newly reported study is among the first to suggest that exposure to PFOA might cause thyroid disease in humans.” Salynn Boyles, WebMD Health News

Can Microwave Popcorn Cause Infertility? (Merry Chin, NY Pregnancy Examiner, December 17, 2009)

Chin concludes: “These recent findings definitely warrant more research to be done in this area so that necessary risk warnings can be placed alerting consumers and especially couples trying to conceive. In the meantime, you may want to consider air-popped popcorn.”

Occurrence of Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylates and Sulfonates in Drinking Water Utilities and Related Waters from the United States (Environmental Science & Technology, accepted October 26, 2009, Oscar Quinones and Shane A. Snyder)

“. . . it is probable that increasing WWTP effluents and increasing demands for water reuse will lead to greater PFC loading to drinking water sources. Therefore, a better understanding of the distribution, toxicity, and fate of PFCs remains essential as it pertains to human health and to PFC burden on the environment in general.”

Dupont Pushing for Weaker Limits on PFOA (Charleston Gazette, November 9, 2009)

Dupont is leading a new push by industry to weaken water pollution limits on PFOA (C8). Ken Ward’s “Sustained Outrage” blog highlights a new story from Inside EPA in which writer Maria Hegstad summarizes industry efforts that occurred in an October 15, 16 closed meeting between industry’s hired gun scientists and EPA Office of Water staff representatives.

PFOA Linked to Increased Cholesterol in General Population (Charleston Gazette, November 2, 2009)

Gazette investigative reporter Ken Ward describes a Boston University study in which researchers found that “. . . for every additional 1 part per billion of C8 in the blood, researchers found a corresponding increase in total cholesterol levels of 1.22 milligrams per deciliter.” Ward also summarizes the significance of the update in his related blog.

Federal judge throws out most of C8 suit against DuPont (WV Gazette, September 28, 2009)

A federal judge on Monday dismissed most of a lawsuit filed against chemical giant DuPont Co. by Parkersburg residents over the pollution of their city’s water with the toxic chemical C8.

EPA unveils plan to review 6 controversial chemicals, reform US toxics policy (Environmental Health News, September 29, 2009)
President Obama’s top environmental official announced a new push to transform the way the nation regulates toxic chemicals that may endanger people and the environment. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson called the workings of a 1976 law ‘inordinately cumbersome and time-consuming’ and said the administration will promote a new chemical law in Congress.In the meantime, the EPA will analyze and regulate six high-profile, widely used chemicals that have raised health concerns, including BPA and phthalates.

The C8 Health Project: Design, Methods, and Participants (Environmental Health Perspectives, July 13, 2009)

This is the first published article providing a comprehensive description of the C8 Health Project. The article is very well written, quite detailed, and most informative for such a compact paper. Protocols and methods of the Brookmar Health Project are reviewed by a consortium of authors (corresponding author is Stephanie Frisbee). The C8 Health Project data was acquired through the work of an independent Brookmar team of health professionals compiled by A. Paul Brooks, MD and Arthur A. Maher MHA, with assistance of project manager Patsy Flensborg, BA and records manager Susan Arnold, MPA. Transfer of the Brookmar project data to a computerized database was implemented by information technology specialist Troy Young and his staff at CPR Solutions Group. Data integrity/confidentiality issues, compilation, summaries, and scientific analysis were conducted under the direction of Alan Ducatman MD, MSc, Professor and Chair of the Department of Community Medicine (West Virginia University School of Medicine) and his project team with substantial participation and efforts of WVU Department of Community Medicine research instructor Stephanie Frisbee, MSc.

One point relevant to scientific observers is that on page 18 the authors describe “A mechanism is currently being sought wherein an agency, likely of the federal government, would maintain and make it accessible a de-identified dataset for public research use.” That statement may be subject to misinterpretation if it gives the inference that the planned “mechanism” may be the only avenue for access to the de-identified raw data. Interested scientists should be advised that there is provision for access to the de-identified data by any credible institution, agency, or researchers if the judge is satisfied that the proposed research serves a valid purpose. The procedure and guidelines for such access are outlined beginning with the last paragraph on page three of the Order filing the data.

Predictors of PFOA Levels in a Community Surrounding a Chemical Plant (Environmental Health Perspectives, July 2009)

This is the first publication of a news or scientific article based upon information derived from the Brookmar C8 Health Project. In the article, protocols and tabulated results from the Brookmar Health Project are reviewed by a consortium of authors.

Opinion shifting against chemical (Spencer Hunt, Columbus Dispatch, May 26, 2009)

“C8, a chemical Dupont uses to make Teflon, has come under fire. A US Environmental Protection Agency science panel declared the chemical a “likely carcinogen” but the government has yet to act.”

C8 Science Panel Press Conference, March 26th, 2009 (Please note, this is a 1 hour video and may take a long period of time to download to your computer.)

Science Panel to Meet Press, Not Public, Sustained Outrage – a Gazette Watchdog Blog (Ken Ward, Charleston Gazette)

C8 Science Panel Secrecy, Sustained Outrage – a Gazette Watchdog Blog (Ken Ward, Charleston Gazette)

C8 Science Panel finds link to immune changes (Ken Ward, Charleston Gazette, March 20, 2009)

“The three-person C8 Science Panel found ‘several significant associations’ between the level of C8 in people’s blood and the levels of disease-fighting antibodies. . . . The panel’s findings mirror those made public nearly a year ago by researchers at West Virginia University, who are examining the same data.” (See related WVU Webcast May 7, 2008)

EPA’s C8 advisory does not address long-term risks (Ken Ward, Charleston Gazette, January 17, 2009)

“Federal officials said Friday that a new C8 health advisory is not intended to address long-term exposure, drawing criticism that the action does nothing for Americans who have for years been drinking water contaminated with toxic chemical.”

contamination issues and related science.

New data increases the level of concern over C8 exposure (Environmental Working Group, October 20, 2008)

Perfluorooctanoic acid, commonly known as PFOA or C8, is one of a class of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been detected in the urine and blood of nearly all Americans tested in bioassays. “This latest report is just more evidence that this Teflon chemical is far more toxic than originally thought and is dangerous at levels found in the population at large,” said Environmental Working Group (EWG) Senior Scientist Olga Naidenko.

C8 levels linked to high cholesterol (Charleston Gazette, October 14, 2008)

“Mid-Ohio Valley residents with greater levels of C8 in their blood also tended to have higher levels of cholesterol, according to the first results from a panel studying the chemical’s health effects. . . . The science panel also found that Parkersburg-area residents had an average of nearly six times more C8 in their blood than the average U.S. population.” (Quotes from story by Ken Ward, Jr.)

Class action status denied in Parkersburg water case (NewsandSentinal.com, September 29, 2009)

Chief U.S. District Court Judge Joseph R. Goodwin denies class action status in Parkersburg water case, but notes that lawyers “presented compelling evidence exposure to C8 may be harmful to human health, and the evidence justifies the concerns expressed by plaintiffs in this case.”

Manufacturing Uncertainty (Chemical & Engineering News, November 17, 2008) In this review of David Michael’s book, Doubt Is Their Product, How Industry’s Assault on Science Threatens Your Health , Chemical & Engineering News writer Brett E. Erickson discusses tactics used by industry to manufacture doubt, manipulate science, and influence regulatory policy The article prominently features Dupont’s Washington Works plant and Dupont’s tactics to avoid regulation of perfluorooctanoic acid (C8).

C8 study backs up lawsuit, judge told (Charleston Gazette, August 6, 2008)

“Preliminary data from the nearly 70,000 person C8 Health Project support previous findings that the Dupont Co. Chemical damages the liver and raised cholesterol levels, Chief U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin was told.” (Story by Ken Ward, Jr., Charleston Gazette investigative reporter)

California legislation would ban PFOA and similar compounds from food packaging sold in California by 2010 (Los Angeles Times, July 30, 2008)

A bill pending in the California legislature will ban C8 from food packaging by 2010. It has been approved by the Senate and passed by the Assembly Health Committee. Bill Walker, vice president of EWG says, “There’s never been a chemical found that affects animals but has no effect on humans.” Dupont’s spokesman claims that there is no evidence that PFOA is harmful to humans.

Expert Disqualified From C8 Lawsuit (Gazette 6/11/08)

Federal District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin disqualified toxicologist Elizabeth Anderson from testifying for Dupont in a pending lawsuit pertaining to C8 contamination of Parkersburg, West Virginia, municipal water.

C6 of One, Half Dozen of the Other (Grist 6/10/08)

“Meanwhile, phaseout or not, C8 is still causing problems: it’s suspected to be contaminating groundwater near a DuPont plant in New Jersey, and the chemical company is also investigating high rates of cancer at a plant in West Virginia.”

C8 Meeting (WTAP 6/10/08)

Meeting with concerned individuals at Hockingport, Ohio, regarding C8 exposure and the importance of participating in the ongoing science panel studies.

Dupont Studies Cancer Rates Among Employees (Parkersburg News 6/10/08)

Parkersburg News headline story by reporter Michael Erb describes specific tumor found among seven past, present workers. “This wasn’t anything hidden,” said plant manager Bill Hopkins. “We have met with our employees here and are trying very hard to keep our employees informed.” “We have no reason to believe it is associated with C8 or any other chemical for that matter.”

Safety of C8 Substitutes Questioned (Charleston Gazette 6/10/08)

Gazette investigative reporter Ken Ward presents a comprehensive summary of an Environmental Working Group report describing a “staggering array of health effects” attributable to C8 replacement chemicals. In addition, Ward reports: “Environmental Working Group reviewed the industry reports filed under EPA’s voluntary (C8) reduction plan, and found significant problems.”

Dupont Plans Detailed Cancer Study at W. Va. Plant (Hemscott Group, Limited 6/9/08)

Reports regarding the Dupont Washington Works cancer issue and C8 concerns are news around the globe. This report was published by Hemscott Group, Limited, in London, UK.

Acquiring C8 Results (Parkersburg News 5/28/08)

The C8 Science Panel has established protocols for Brookmar Health Project participants to acquire duplicate original copies of the participant’s individual blood test results. Participants who have previously given consent to participate in the ongoing science panel studies can request copies of their data by mail, using the sample letter from the Science Panel website (www.c8sciencepanel.org). Participants who have not yet given consent may still do so by downloading the consent form from the same website.

C8 Health Project data filed (Parkersburg News 5/21/08)

Parkersburg News writer/reporter Pamela Brust writes about the filing of Brookmar C8 Project data in a May 21, 2008 Parkersburg News article. Brust notes that the information was gathered in 2005-2006 as part of the largest-ever study of C8’s possible health effects. The health project data will be available for analysis and review by qualified institutions and individuals. Brust concludes with Judge Beane’s quote of Dr. Paul Brooks, noting that the information will be in the public domain for study, but that the identification of the participants will never be released.

Science Panel and Dupont reaction to WVU C8 data (Parkersburg News 5/17/08)

In a May 17, 2008, Parkersburg News Article by Pamela Brust, Dupont spokesman Dan Turner is quoted saying: “The information that has been released by WVU is very preliminary and you cannot draw conclusions from it. . . .” Science panelist Dr. Kyle Steenland is quoted: “These (the WVU tables and graphs) do not represent a thorough data analysis . . .”

Endocrine Disruptors In Common Plastics Linked to Obesity Risk (Science Daily 5/15/08)

In an experiment outlined at the conference of the European Congress on Obesity, Suzanne Fenton, a research biologist at the US Environmental Protection Agency, found that when PFOA was given to pregnant mice, their offspring were unusually small at birth then became overweight as adults.

C8 Timeline (Columbus Dispatch, February 16, 2003) This document link is Michael Hawthorne’s (Columbus Dispatch) excellent timeline of events related to Dupont’s use of C8 and the history of Dupont’s knowledge of the impact of C8 upon animals and humans. See also Hawthorne’s related article featuring the book, Our Stolen Future “Industry memos show Dupont knew for decades that a chemical used to make Teflon is polluting workers and neighbors.”

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The Toxic Compromise
Folk Ryden Production, 2014

The Toxic Compromise
Folk Ryden Production, 2014