PFOA 2005
June 25, 2005. C8 project on track to start this summer.
By Pamela Brust. The Marietta Times (Ohio).


 
 

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http://www.mariettatimes.com/news/story/new89_625200522429.asp

The Marietta Times (Ohio)

June 25, 2005

C8 project on track to start this summer

By Pamela Brust

PARKERSBURG — Officials with the health survey and monitoring project to determine C8 blood levels of residents in six water districts said the project is on schedule to begin around mid-to-late July.

The mobile testing offices where residents will be administered the blood test are expected to be delivered beginning in July.

“There was a slight delay with the mobile offices, and the science panel had more input into the questionnaire, so things have not moved along as fast as we had hoped. But we are still looking at a July start up date, probably around mid-July,” said Charleston attorney Harry G. Deitzler.

Deitzler was one of the attorneys who represented plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed on behalf of Washington/Lubeck residents against DuPont Washington Works regarding discharge of ammonium perfluorooctanoate, known as C8 into area water supplies. As part of a final settlement in the lawsuit, DuPont is paying for a health, education project.

The effort includes gathering medical histories and blood samples from residents of six water districts considered “class” members for purposes of the civil action. The six districts are Lubeck Public Service District, Mason County in West Virginia, and Little Hocking, Belpre, Tuppers Plains and Pomeroy in Ohio

Plaintiffs claimed their health was harmed by C8, which is used by DuPont as part of its manufacturing process for Teflon. DuPont has contended and continues to contend C8, a detergent-like substance, has no harmful human health effects.

Blood drawn from class members participating in the study will be tested for C8 as well as a variety of other health conditions. Class members who fill out a confidential health history/medical information, C8 exposure survey will be paid $150. They will receive an additional $250 if they agree to have the blood test which will determine a variety of health issues including identifying C8 levels.

Dr. Paul Brooks, who along with Art Maher is coordinating the testing project, said a test site has been secured for Pomeroy, Ohio, which will serve residents of both Tuppers Plains and Pomeroy.

“The site in Lubeck will serve just Lubeck residents and the Mason County site will be just for the Mason County water district. We are still trying to locate a site in Belpre, we haven’t gotten one locked down over there yet. But once we do, it will serve the Little Hocking and Belpre areas.” Brooks said.

Project coordinators are encouraging class members to go ahead and register at the project Web site to facilitate the process. The Web site address is http://www.c8healthproject.com/

“We hope to get the first mobile units up and running by mid to late July, and we should have all of them running by about the first week in August,” Brooks said.
It is estimated there are 70,000 people eligible for the testing as part of a settlement in the civil action.

“We are looking at as many as 500 people a day being tested,” Deitzler noted.

While confidential, each person will get their own blood test results back.

The information on blood samples taken from class members exposed to C8 will be compared to an unexposed population to help identify adverse effects of C8 exposure, if there are any. A three-member independent scientific panel of experts will evaluate evidence to determine any link between C8 exposure and any human disease.

The panel will design and conduct a health study in the communities exposed to C8, which will be funded by DuPont. If the panel determines there is a probable link between C8 exposure and any disease, DuPont will fund a medical motoring program for up to $235 million to pay for testing determined to be necessary. Class members will retain their right to file personal injury claims and related damages if an association is found.

 
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