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Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) today sent a letter to Dr. Julie Gerberding, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, to request that she direct their Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) to conduct a health consultation for the DuPont facility in Parlin, New Jersey.
In the letter Pallone informed Dr. Gerberding that elevated levels of the contaminant perflourooctanoic acid (PFOA) have recently been found in drinking water samples in the Parlin/Sayreville area, in streams near the Parlin DuPont plant and in the blood of workers who have handled the chemical. (A COPY OF THE LETTER IS ATTACHED)
"I would like ATSDR to determine whether there is a connection between PFOA contamination in area drinking water supplies and in workers' bloodstreams, whether the DuPont facility is responsible for the PFOA contamination in drinking water supplies and in workers' bloodstreams, whether the facility is responsible for the PFOA contamination in nearby streams, and to what extent these levels of PFOA pose a public health hazard to plant workers and area residents," Pallone wrote.
PFOA does not occur naturally and is only manufactured by the DuPont Company. The company has previously faced lawsuits and other legal action related to the manufacturing of this chemical. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified PFOA as a "likely human carcinogen." In addition, various studies have indicated that PFOA may be linked to changes in liver enzymes, developmental toxicity, liver toxicity, hormones, and other serious health impacts. PFOA lingers in the environment and may be harmful with exposure even at low levels.
"Knowing the possible serious health impacts of this chemical, it is critical that ATSDR take action to investigate any possible public health hazards that the contamination poses to plant workers or area residents," Pallone wrote. |
