Dupont's Dark Legacy: A Documentary Exposé

There are several documentaries and docudrama films that explore the topic of DuPont pollution. The Devil We Know (2018) is an investigative documentary that exposes how DuPont's toxic chemicals negatively impacted the health of its employees and surrounding communities. Dark Waters (2019) is a docudrama film that uncovers DuPont's pollution of drinking water with the harmful PFAS chemical, PFOA, and the company's decades-long cover-up. These films highlight the health hazards and environmental impact of DuPont's actions and have sparked important conversations about the dangers of unregulated chemicals.

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DuPont's pollution of water systems with PFOA

Internal memorandums from DuPont reveal a shocking disregard for the health and environmental impacts of their actions. One memorandum infamously referred to "sticking with the devil we know" in continuing to use PFOA instead of investing in developing safer alternatives. DuPont also conducted its own medical studies, which showed that PFOA caused cancerous tumors in lab animals, yet they kept these findings private for decades.

The pollution and its impacts gained widespread attention due to investigative efforts by individuals like Robert Bilott, a corporate defense attorney who began looking into the mysterious deaths of cattle in the farming region. Bilott's efforts, along with those of activists, scientists, and journalists, helped bring the issue to national prominence and sparked protests from locals.

As a result of the growing pressure and evidence of wrongdoing, DuPont has faced numerous lawsuits and settlements. In one case, DuPont agreed to settle for benefits valued at over $300 million, and in another, they were ordered to pay $671 million to residents of Parkersburg, West Virginia. Despite these payouts, some worry that DuPont is avoiding taking full responsibility for the pollution by spinning off its liabilities to smaller firms that may struggle to pay out in lawsuits.

The impact of DuPont's pollution of water systems with PFOA is still being felt today, and the company continues to face scrutiny for its actions. The chemical PFOA is a "forever chemical," meaning it never leaves the bloodstream and slowly accumulates. It has been found in the bloodstreams of virtually all Americans, and studies have linked it to various health issues, including cancer, congenital disabilities, thyroid issues, and reproductive harm.

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DuPont's cover-up of the harm caused by PFOA

DuPont's use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a key ingredient in manufacturing Teflon, has been the subject of several documentaries and legal battles. PFOA is a "forever chemical" that accumulates in the bloodstream and has been linked to serious health issues, including cancer and congenital disabilities. Despite being aware of the dangers, DuPont concealed internal research and testing results that showed the presence of PFOA in the local water supply and its harmful effects on health.

In 1982, DuPont confirmed the toxicity of PFOA to humans, and by 1984, water samples from the Ohio River showed toxicity levels eight times higher than normal. DuPont executives discussed ways to reduce or stop using PFOA but ultimately chose to continue, driven by the huge profits from Teflon sales, which reached $1 billion annually.

DuPont also attempted to downplay the severity of the situation and influence regulators to delay action. In 2001, emails revealed that DuPont attorney Bernard Reilly worked to convince state environmental regulators that there was no emergency regarding air pollution in the Ohio River Valley. The company even suggested that residents should wear masks to protect themselves from PFOA air pollution, rather than addressing the root cause of the issue.

The cover-up was not limited to deception and delay tactics. DuPont also fought legal battles to avoid taking responsibility for the harm caused by PFOA. When faced with lawsuits, DuPont denied hiding PFAS risks and claimed to have provided extensive information to the EPA. However, internal documents revealed a different story. DuPont had conducted medical studies for decades, which showed a correlation between high PFOA exposure and various health issues, including cancer and congenital disabilities.

The company's deception and lack of accountability had real-life consequences for the people of Parkersburg, West Virginia, where a DuPont facility was located. DuPont agreed to settle for benefits valued at over $300 million in a class-action lawsuit. However, the residents of Parkersburg continue to suffer the effects of PFOA exposure, and more are likely to die from related diseases.

DuPont's actions, and the subsequent cover-up, showcase a blatant disregard for human life and the environment, prioritizing profits over the well-being of communities.

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DuPont's alleged air pollution in the Ohio River Valley

The 2019 film Dark Waters shines a light on DuPont's alleged air pollution in the Ohio River Valley. The film is based on the New York Times Magazine article "The Lawyer Who Became DuPont's Worst Nightmare" by Nathaniel Rich, as well as the book Stain-Resistant, Nonstick, Waterproof and Lethal: The Hidden Dangers of C8 by Mid-Ohio Valley journalist Callie Lyons. It also draws from Mariah Blake's National Magazine Award-finalist article "Welcome to Beautiful Parkersburg, West Virginia" and Sharon Lerner's series "Bad Chemistry" in The Intercept.

The film centres on the bizarre deaths of cattle in a farming region of the Ohio River Valley, which sparks an investigation by corporate defence attorney Robert Bilott. Bilott discovers that the chemical culprit is perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a key ingredient used in manufacturing Teflon, and that DuPont has been dumping tons of toxic sludge in a landfill uphill from the affected farm. DuPont's internal documents reveal that the company was aware of the health risks posed by PFOA, including cancer and congenital disabilities, but kept this information private.

DuPont's actions have led to concerns about the potential impacts of permitted pollution from new petrochemical projects in the Ohio River Valley. In 2018, Ohio filed a lawsuit against DuPont, alleging that the company had negligently caused environmental contamination and created a public nuisance by allowing PFOA to enter the air, soil, and water in the state. The lawsuit states that DuPont's "conscious disregard for the rights of Ohio and the safety of its citizens has caused and continues to cause substantial harm."

In addition to Dark Waters, the 2018 documentary The Devil We Know also explores allegations of health hazards from PFOA and DuPont's potential responsibility. The film includes footage of public hearings, news reports, and corporate ads, as well as input from scientists and activists. It follows the personal stories of several people impacted by DuPont's facility in Parkersburg, West Virginia, including DuPont workers who suffered from various forms of cancer and gave birth to children with deformities.

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The health hazards of PFOA

The documentary films "The Devil We Know" and "Dark Waters" expose the health hazards of PFOA, also known as perfluorooctanoic acid or C8. PFOA is a key ingredient used in manufacturing Teflon, which was originally created in 1945 and found its way into various household products. DuPont, the company that bought and utilized PFOA, was responsible for dumping at least 1.7 million pounds of it into the water between 1951 and 2003. This resulted in severe health consequences for both humans and animals in the affected areas.

One of the most well-known health hazards of PFOA exposure is cancer. Studies have shown a correlation between high PFOA exposure and kidney cancer, testicular cancer, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, and pregnancy-induced hypertension. DuPont's own medical studies conducted on lab animals also revealed that PFOA caused cancerous testicular, pancreatic, and liver tumors.

In addition to cancer, PFOA exposure has been linked to congenital disabilities and developmental issues. Children born to mothers exposed to PFOA may experience low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations, behavioral changes, and an increased risk of developing cancer later in life.

PFOA is also associated with reproductive effects, such as decreased fertility and increased high blood pressure in pregnant women. Furthermore, it can impact the immune system, reducing the body's ability to fight infections and respond to vaccines.

The toxic effects of PFOA are not limited to humans. In the documentary "Dark Waters," it is revealed that cows on a farm near a DuPont landfill exhibited unusual medical conditions, including bloated organs, blackened teeth, and tumors, ultimately leading to their deaths. This prompted an investigation into the chemicals dumped by DuPont.

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The legal battles against DuPont

One of the key figures in the legal battles against DuPont is Robert Bilott, an environmental lawyer. Bilott's journey began in 1998 when he received a call from a cattle farmer, Wilbur Tennant, who suspected that DuPont was responsible for the mysterious deaths of his cows and the contamination of his water supply. Despite working primarily with large corporate clients, Bilott decided to take on the case as a personal favour.

The legal battle against DuPont was arduous and protracted, spanning over two decades. Bilott encountered resistance not only from DuPont but also from local politicians, lawyers, journalists, doctors, and veterinarians, many of whom had ties to the company. However, through tenacity and perseverance, Bilott and his team uncovered damning evidence of DuPont's wrongdoing. They discovered that DuPont had conducted internal tests that revealed the toxic nature of PFOA but had concealed the findings from the public and regulatory authorities.

In August 2001, Bilott filed a class-action lawsuit against DuPont on behalf of approximately 70,000 people in West Virginia and Ohio whose drinking water was contaminated with PFOA. This lawsuit sought medical monitoring for the affected residents and accountability from DuPont. Despite DuPont's attempts to downplay the health risks and manipulate regulatory bodies, Bilott's efforts resulted in settlements for the affected communities. DuPont initially agreed to settle for benefits valued at over $300 million, but later withdrew from the mediated agreement. Bilott then pursued individual personal injury lawsuits, securing multi-million-dollar settlements for his clients. In total, recoveries against DuPont for Bilott's class members exceeded $850 million.

The impact of the legal battles against DuPont extended beyond financial settlements. Bilott's work helped establish tighter environmental regulations and led to the first standards for regulating PFAS in drinking water. His efforts also brought about increased public awareness and scrutiny of the chemical industry, particularly regarding the dangers of PFAS chemicals.

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