In January, an expose was done revealing that the company DuPont had known or suspected—for many years—that their product (Teflon)—used to coat pots and pans and give them “nonstick properties”—contained a very harmful ingredient. What has now resulted in more than 3,500 personal injury and wrongful death claims against the company associated with the product—and the many residents who have now been diagnosed with cancer and fear for their lives—has created quite a stir in the news media of late.
Contamination Secrets of Teflon
Some claims have already been decided by juries, who have found that the company has—in fact, for many years—negligently contaminated drinking water supplies with toxic chemicals used to create Teflon, and awarded some victims close to $2 million for their medical expenses and pain and suffering, along with other damages. The legal battles have been going on for years and years, and have unearthed some startling secrets withheld by DuPont concerning studies and internal emails; revelations that the company knew or had reason to know of the dangers involved with their chemical.
Unregulated Mysteries
Perhaps what has been most frightening to those potentially exposed to the dangerous chemical is just how difficult it has been for doctors to definitely figure out what has been going on with these sick patients in their offices (as opposed to, for example, diagnosing mesothelioma, which has been definitively been linked to asbestos exposure).
Regardless, why did it have to take years of people getting sick and lawyers bringing their cases to obtain any kind of justice on this issue? Unfortunately, there is no mandatory safety testing for the majority of chemicals used daily in our country, and that includes those that scientists really have very little information on regarding their potential to cause serious health issues. Many of them are still a mystery because, due to how widespread they have become distributed, some are now “found in virtually every American’s blood” and can cause cancer simply by someone drinking water. One example is the compound C8, which was used in millions of products from clothing to pizza boxes to fast food wrappers, but causes cancer, liver and thyroid disease, and developmental problems. C8 is now expected to stay in the environment for thousands of years to come.
What about Our Environmental Laws?
Unfortunately, a lot of the disposal of Teflon and C8 into the environment took place prior to the enactment of environmental laws in the 1970s. This included burying toxic waste in drums along rivers and in landfills and dumping it into oceans. Information just now emerging has demonstrated that DuPont staffers knew (or at least suspected) that these chemicals were harmful, and yet they continued to put their employees and the public at risk, indicating severe negligence on the part of the company.
Environmental Hazard & Cancer Attorneys
Many companies take advantage of the regulatory process to use and profit from contaminating the environment with toxic chemicals that cause cancer. The environmental attorneys of Harrell & Nowak have spent years litigating against these bad actors. If you have been the victim of a product that caused cancer, contact Harrell & Nowak; we serve communities in New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, and throughout Louisiana.