• March 13, 2019
• CMZ Law
• no comments

Did DuPont cover-up the health risks associated with the manufacture of Teflon?

Teflon, a chemical commonly used in kitchen items, such as non-stick cookware, has been linked to some serious health issues. DuPont, the company that produces millions of pounds of Teflon every year, has been accused of hiding the health risks associated with the manufacturing of the chemical Perfluorooctanoic (PFOA), or C8, which is used to smooth the texture of Teflon.

At this time, there have been more than 3,500 private lawsuits brought against DuPont alleging that the company was negligent in it’s production of Teflon. C8 is a white powdery substance that easily mixes with the air. It has been found that most American’s have this chemical in their bloodstreams as a result of its common use in everyday items. But, residents of Ohio and West Virginia, where Teflon is manufactured, have been exposed to so much of the chemical that it has made them sick. Apparently, DuPont disposed of the product by burying it along the Ohio River, dumping it into the ocean and leaving it in so-called “non-hazardous” landfills in these states. 

The real problem is that it has been confirmed that the company knew of the dangers of C8 but allowed people to be exposed to it anyway. Testing in DuPont’s own labs showed evidence of the toxicity of C8 all the way back to the 1960s, but the company allowed the chemical to seep into the water and escape into the air anyway. Individuals started becoming ill and the ailments were eventually linked to exposure to this chemical.

So far, C8 been linked to testicular and kidney cancers, pregnancy-induced hypertension, ulcerative colitis, high cholesterol and thyroid disease. People began to sue in 2001 and a major class action lawsuit followed. The first of these cases has recently been decided after years of litigation and a jury found that DuPont was negligent in allowing the chemical to seep into a woman’s drinking water causing her to suffer from cancer. The EPA also sued DuPont after evidence of the widespread contamination surfaced.

Exposure to certain chemicals can cause serious health problems to occur. If you think that you may have been harmed due to a toxic substance, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to determine if you are entitled to compensation.