The Science Panel Website
These pages describe the C8 Science Panel and the Science Panel research program. Our research gathers and assesses information on health status and C8 exposure in the Mid-Ohio Valley communities, potentially affected by the releases of C8 from the Washington Works plant in Parkersburg, West Virginia. The Science Panel consists of three epidemiologists who were chosen jointly by the parties to the legal settlement of a case between plaintiffs and DuPont regarding releases of C8 from the plant.
Science panel news and updates
May 11, 2012
Infections, obesity and clinical markers in children in relation to C8 (PFOA) during pregnancy in mothers in the Mid-Ohio Valley
The Science Panel has filed a status report to the Wood County Court on May 11, 2012 summarizing new results on PFOA estimated during pregnancy among women in the Mid-Ohio Valley and the health of their children, based on information collected in the C8 Health Project and collected in telephone interviews conducted last year for the Science Panel. Overall, these results did not suggest any evidence of an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, childhood obesity, childhood asthma nor infections, in relation to prenatal exposure to PFOA. The Status Report can be seen here.
April 16, 2012
C8 Science Panel delivers Probable Link conclusions on cancers and adult onset diabetes
The Science Panel has delivered two Probable Link reports dealing with cancers and diabetes which were filed with the Wood County Court, West Virginia on Monday, April 16, 2012. The Science Panel has concluded that there is a Probable Link between C8 (PFOA) and both kidney cancer and testicular cancer; and that there is not a Probable Link between C8 and other cancers, nor adult onset diabetes. These reports are both available on this website.
December 5, 2011
C8 Science Panel delivers first Probable Link conclusions and submits three Status Reports to Court
The Science Panel has delivered four Probable Link reports dealing with reproductive outcomes and filed three Status Reports to the Wood County Court on Monday, December 5, 2011. The Science Panel has concluded that there is a Probable Link between C8 (PFOA) and pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia; and that there is not a Probable Link between C8 and birth defects, preterm births, low birth weight, or pregnancy loss. The Status Reports are on changes in serum C8 and lipid changes, on C8 and pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia, and on C8 and adult thyroid disease. These reports are all available on this website.
December 1, 2011
Science Panel to deliver first Probable Link conclusions
On the morning of Monday, December 5, the first reports from the Science Panel on whether or not there is a probable link between C8 and human disease will be delivered to the Wood County Court. The probable link reports will cover reproductive outcomes; other outcomes will be the subject of later probable link reports. Shortly thereafter, the three Science Panel members will hold a press conference in Parkersburg at 10am and copies of the probable link reports will be publicly available on this website. In addition, further status reports arising from other new results in the Science Panel's ongoing research program will be filed with the Court and placed here at the same time.
September 23, 2011
C8 (PFOA) Exposure and pregnancy outcome based on Ohio and West Virginia birth records and linkage to C8 Health Project participants
The Science Panel has filed a status report to the Wood County Court on September 23, 2011 summarizing new results on PFOA and pregnancy outcomes based on information from birth certificates provided by Ohio and West Virginia Health Departments. All births from 1990-2005 in the study area were analyzed, as well as a subset for which we linked C8 Health Project participants to birth records. Overall, there was little indication of an association between estimated PFOA exposure and risk of stillbirth, pregnancy-induced hypertension, preterm birth, or low birth weight. There was some suggestion that women in the upper end of the PFOA ranges had slightly smaller infants, but it was not consistent for boys and girls. The Status Report can be seen here.
September 12, 2011
C8 Science Panel to host two public forums
The C8 Science Panel is organizing two public forums for those interested in hearing more about the status of its work. The public will have a chance to ask the C8 Science Panelists questions, and hear their explanation of the scientific process that goes into making the determination of whether there is a probable link between C8 exposure and human disease.
The C8 Science Panel (Dr. Tony Fletcher, Dr. Kyle Steenland, and Dr. David Savitz) will be present with a complete update on the progress they’ve made so far, and the steps they are taking toward the end result. If you have an interest in the C8 investigation process, we invite you to attend one of these meetings. There are two public meetings each starting at 6pm and planned to last an hour and a half:
Monday, September 26, 6pm
Blennerhassett Middle School Auditorium
444 Jewel Road
Parkersburg, WV 26101
Tuesday, September 27, 6 pm
Meigs Local Middle School Auditorium
42353 Charles Chancey Drive
Pomeroy, OH 45769
August 18, 2011
Serum PFOA and markers of thyroid function in children in the Mid-Ohio Valley
The Science Panel has filed a status report to the Wood County Court on August 18, 2011 summarizing new results on markers of thyroid function and PFOA (also known as C8) among children 1-18 years old who participated in the C8 Health Project. Overall, there was no evidence of an association for thyroid hormones and PFOA for children aged 1-18 years. However, the results suggest that childhood exposure to two other perfuoroalkyl acids, PFOS and PFNA, may disturb thyroid hormone levels. There was some evidence of an association between reported childhood thyroid disease and PFOA, but not PFOS nor PFNA. The Status Report can be seen here.
July 19, 2011
C8 Science Panel submits three reports to Court
The Science Panel has filed three status reports to the Wood County Court on July 19, 2011. These are a report on C8 and liver function markers, a report on patterns of mortality rate and C8 in workers employed at the DuPont Washington Works plant, and a report on C8 and pregnancy outcomes among women in the C8 Health Project.
May 18, 2011
C8 Science Panel firms dates for announcement of Probable Link outcomes
For More Information: Lisa Collins, 304/483-1355
The three members of the C8 Science Panel attended Wood County Court today, May 18, for a Status Hearing with Judge JD Beane, who is overseeing the implementation of the C8 Settlement Agreement. Judge Beane requested that the Science Panel members brief him on research progress, and work toward delivering probable link findings. Members reported that the detailed research work is proceeding on schedule and as the research is completed they will complete syntheses of the evidence, to allow Probable Link determinations, as agreed under the Settlement. These findings are on schedule to be completed by July 2012 at latest, although the Panel may be able to issue some findings earlier. The priority is to address outcomes which past research has raised as particular concerns, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, thyroid disease, liver disease, kidney disease, and reproductive outcomes. For each of these the group will determine whether or not there is evidence of a probable link between PFOA/C8 and disease.
The Panel told Judge Beane:
"We will deliver all probable link judgments as a group by July 2012. Any probable link judgments that we can make before that we will. We anticipate being able to make a probable link judgment in this calendar year for reproductive outcomes."
As a result of a recommendation from the Judge to have another public forum, the Panel will discuss with the settling parties a plan for a public meeting in conjunction with the first probable link outcome announcement in the fall of this year.
February 2, 2011
C8 and attention deficit/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and learning disorder in children
The Science Panel has filed a status report to the Wood County Court on February 2, 2011 summarizing new results on Attention Deficit/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD), Learning Disorder and PFOA (also known as C8) among children 5-18 years old who participated in the C8 Health Project. Children with ADD/ADHD have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (acting without thinking about the results), and sometimes are overly active. A Learning Disorder refers to different types of specific learning disabilities, such as disabilities in listening, speaking, basic reading skills, reading comprehension, written expression, mathematical calculation, and mathematical reasoning. Overall these new findings do not provide evidence of an association between PFOA and either ADD/ADHD or Learning Disorder. The Status Report can be seen here.
News updates before 2011 can be seen here.
Last updated May 11, 2012