News Coverage
EPA Moves to Widen Case Against DuPont
Published November 25, 2004
Environmental Protection Agency officials hope to expand their case against DuPont Co., which they allege violated federal law by failing to tell the government about possible health risks associated with perfluorooctanoic acid, an ingredient used to make Teflon.
Officials have asked an administrative law judge to postpone a Dec. 16 hearing in which the chemical giant will contest the charges, which could carry as much as $313 million in fines, so they can add new allegations. The agency recently discovered that the company learned in July that a dozen residents near its plant in Parkersburg, W.Va., have dramatically elevated blood levels of the chemical, known as C-8 or PFOA, but DuPont did not pass the findings on to the EPA.
DuPont spokesman Clifton Webb said yesterday, "Should the agency decide to file an additional complaint, we will contest their decision and defend our position."
But Environmental Working Group President Kenneth A. Cook, whose group has criticized DuPont for not being more forthcoming about C-8, said company officials do not understand that it needs to be more honest about dangers connected to its products. "DuPont still doesn't get it," Cook said.