NUMBERS RISING FOR C-8 HEALTH SCREENS

(12/20/2005)
About 75,000 people could participate in the C-8 health screen in the Mid-Ohio Valley by next June.

Parkersburg physician Dr. Paul Brooks says organizers originally thought about 60,000 Ohio and West Virginia residents would agree to the study.

The project has already screened about 29,000 people and has another 28,000 on a waiting list, but the numbers are still growing.

The screening is part of a settlement with DuPont over the use of the chemical known as C-8 at its Washington Works plant near Parkersburg.

DuPont just received the largest fine ever meted by the EPA.

Area residents sued the company claiming the chemical had contaminated area water supplies.

The plaintiff's lawyer, Harry Deitzler, is worried the project may run out of money before all the people are tested.