DuPont was one of the world's largest chemical companies, with an empire built on innovations like Teflon, and a reputation for rigorous health and safety procedures.
The first reports of the deadly chemicals used in Teflon production appeared in the news in the early 2000's. It was the first the public had heard of the dangers of PFOAs, and the lawsuits being brought against DuPont for its use of the substance.
DuPont, for all it's respect in the chemical community, had engaged in a fifty year cover-up.
Early studies of PFOA revealed to DuPont that it could impact liver and kidney function, and cause cancer and birth defects. Instead of disclosing this information, they kept quiet, while workers on the floor practically bathed in the stuff.
They dumped the PFOA-laden waste in unlined landfills in Parkersburg, West Virginia, where it quietly seeped into the groundwater...
When the toxic water trickled offsite and reached Earl Tennant's cattle farm in the 1990's, he knew something was wrong. The water in his creek foamed and stank. When his cattle drank from it they died horribly. He reached out to every regulatory agency he could think of. He called every local lawyer. But everyone turned him away.
In Parkersburg, DuPont owned half the town. The chemical plant was responsible for employing the majority of the community. No local lawyer was going to take on the chemical giant.
Eventually Earl reached Robert Bilott. He showed up to Bilott's office with a box of video tapes. Footage of the oddly foaming creek water, of his sick and dying cattle. Bilott was actually working for a corporate defense firm at the time, but the disturbing video was too hard to ignore.
He took the case right away.
The ensuing legal battle brought to light DuPont's fifty year cover-up, contaminated groundwater that supplied thousands of poisoned citizens, and the deeply disturbing truth about PFOA.
Since Robert Bilott's legal battle against DuPont lasted nearly twenty years, we're only recently being given all the details.
In 2018, the documentary The Devil We Know was released. The documentary took a good look at the contaminated towns, the victims, DuPont's actions, and the legal battle. The film was undoubtedly impactful, both informative and horrifying. But I remained confused on the details, the timeline, and how something like this could evade discovery for so long.
The first reports of the deadly chemicals used in Teflon production appeared in the news in the early 2000's. It was the first the public had heard of the dangers of PFOAs, and the lawsuits being brought against DuPont for its use of the substance.
DuPont, for all it's respect in the chemical community, had engaged in a fifty year cover-up.
Early studies of PFOA revealed to DuPont that it could impact liver and kidney function, and cause cancer and birth defects. Instead of disclosing this information, they kept quiet, while workers on the floor practically bathed in the stuff.
They dumped the PFOA-laden waste in unlined landfills in Parkersburg, West Virginia, where it quietly seeped into the groundwater...
When the toxic water trickled offsite and reached Earl Tennant's cattle farm in the 1990's, he knew something was wrong. The water in his creek foamed and stank. When his cattle drank from it they died horribly. He reached out to every regulatory agency he could think of. He called every local lawyer. But everyone turned him away.
In Parkersburg, DuPont owned half the town. The chemical plant was responsible for employing the majority of the community. No local lawyer was going to take on the chemical giant.
Eventually Earl reached Robert Bilott. He showed up to Bilott's office with a box of video tapes. Footage of the oddly foaming creek water, of his sick and dying cattle. Bilott was actually working for a corporate defense firm at the time, but the disturbing video was too hard to ignore.
He took the case right away.
The ensuing legal battle brought to light DuPont's fifty year cover-up, contaminated groundwater that supplied thousands of poisoned citizens, and the deeply disturbing truth about PFOA.
Since Robert Bilott's legal battle against DuPont lasted nearly twenty years, we're only recently being given all the details.
In 2018, the documentary The Devil We Know was released. The documentary took a good look at the contaminated towns, the victims, DuPont's actions, and the legal battle. The film was undoubtedly impactful, both informative and horrifying. But I remained confused on the details, the timeline, and how something like this could evade discovery for so long.
Now Exposure offers a personal account from the lawyer responsible for the lawsuit. No one knows the details better.
The story of DuPont hiding and denying their fault in the destruction of so many lives is truly upsetting, and this is not a pleasant read. The truths Bilott and his team uncovered tell a haunting and perhaps cautionary tale. And it's truly fascinating if industrial scandals intrigue you.
Exposure gave me a solid timeline where the documentary left me a little confused. This is, however, a book written by a lawyer about a legal case, so there is less action and more legal details. But don't let that stop you. Bilott discusses legal issues and loopholes with a straightforward and easy to understand attitude.
If that doesn't sound appealing, try the watching the documentary The Devil We Know first. It will give you an overview, and may make you more invested in reading Bilott's book later on.
Exposure gave me a solid timeline where the documentary left me a little confused. This is, however, a book written by a lawyer about a legal case, so there is less action and more legal details. But don't let that stop you. Bilott discusses legal issues and loopholes with a straightforward and easy to understand attitude.
If that doesn't sound appealing, try the watching the documentary The Devil We Know first. It will give you an overview, and may make you more invested in reading Bilott's book later on.
This isn't the only scandal with the du Pont name. Last year we reviewed Foxcatcher by Mark Schultz, which focuses on John E. du Pont, an erratic billionaire who sponsors a wrestling team and then murders one of its members. You can find that review here.