WEST VIRGINIA — Wood County Circuit Court Judge George W. Hill ordered DuPont to cover the expense of testing for the presence of PFOA in the blood of anyone whose drinking water is, or has been, contaminated with the chemical. The ruling must first clear the appeals process before volunteers can have their blood tested at the expense of the chemical company.
More than 3000 people filed a class action lawsuit in 2001 against DuPont Washington Works for discharging the potentially hazardous substance known as PFOA.
“DuPont is reviewing Judge Hill’s order,” said attorney Laurence F. Janssen, representing DuPont from Steptoe and Johnson in Los Angeles. “Judge Hill did order that DuPont provide for testing for the presence of PFOA in the blood of those class members requesting it. This is not the same thing as medical monitoring.”
Stephen Finell, another attorney representing DuPont from Steptoe and Johnson said it is not possible for the plant to eliminate its discharge of PFOA.
“DuPont has used it for 50 years,” Finell said. “You can’t point to meaningful evidence where anybody has identified a human health effect. The plant is doing everything possible to minimize the discharge.”.
(via Marietta Times)
3 responses so far ↓
lynnette copeland // Jul 8, 2004 at 9:11 pm
My drinking water is affected, and I concerned about my children. Our region already has higher than normal cancer rates. I am very concenred about the lack of independent testing facilities.
Amber Ohlinger // Aug 16, 2004 at 11:34 am
My family & I have been drinking from the county water supply in an affected area since 1979. I have MS and my father has Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. I am very, very curious on the current status of EPA findings on the affects of PFOA.
Patricia Haneman // Nov 2, 2004 at 5:24 pm
National Medical Services is an independent bioanalytical laboratory that offers blood testing for PFOA. They are located in PA and can be reached at 1 800 522-6671 or http://www.nmslab.com
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