DU PONT'S HARMFUL CHEMICAL SAGA CONTINUES

(11/15/2006)
The saga continues on whether a chemical produced at Wood County's DuPont plant for about 50 years has been harmful to human beings.

Members of a scientific panel charged with studying the possible health effects C-8, used in the manufacturing of Teflon, says the study could take five years and cost up to $15 million.

The panelists say they plan to do nine separate studies and would like to do a tenth if the court approves it.

Some results could be in early 2007.

The studies will look at the effects on everything from heart disease to cancer.

The panel and study is part of a 2004 settlement of a class-action lawsuit filed by West Virginia and Ohio residents over the contamination of their water supplies by the chemical.

DuPont continues to maintain there are no human health risks involving C-8.