DUPONT REPORT KEPT UNDER WRAPS SAYS ELEVATED CANCER RATES AMONG EMPLOYEES

(06/09/2008)
Government records are saying that DuPont Co. has discovered evidence of elevated cancer rates among employees at its Washington Works plant near Parkersburg.

Even though the information was reported to the EPA in 2006, with updates the following year, none of the information has been released to the public.

According to the records, DuPont says it doesn't know why there may be a fivefold increase in certain cancers for employees at the Washington Works plant near Parkersburg.

The company, in the documents, says it does not know if the increase is related to the chemical C8.

C8, used in making Teflon, is being studied in the Mid-Ohio Valley related to health problems it could have caused citizens.

The C8 issue has cost DuPont millions of dollars in settlement money so far.

The company maintains it has not caused any health problems.

Plant manager Bill Hopkins says the company will keep employees and the EPA updated.