The film “Dark Waters” is a legal thriller that tells the epic story of how a corporate lawyer took on one of the world’s largest chemical companies, DuPont, and exposed their decades-long cover-up of poisoning a community in West Virginia with a toxic chemical called C8. The film, which stars Mark Ruffalo as the lawyer Rob Bilott, is based on the true events that unfolded in Parkersburg, a town along the Ohio River that was contaminated by DuPont’s Washington Works facility, where C8 was used in the production of Teflon and other household products.
C8, also known as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), is a synthetic chemical that belongs to a class of compounds called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are widely used in various industries for their water- and stain-resistant properties. However, C8 is also a “forever chemical” that never fully degrades and accumulates in the environment and in the human body. According to a 2007 study, C8 is in the blood of 99.7% of Americans. It has been linked to six illnesses among the local population, including kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, high cholesterol, and pregnancy-induced hypertension.
DuPont had been aware of the dangers of C8 since at least the 1960s, when they conducted animal studies that showed its toxicity. They also knew that their workers had high levels of C8 in their blood since the 1970s, and that there were links to cancerous tumors from C8 exposure in the early 1990s. But they failed to inform the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the public, and continued to dump the chemical into the air, water, and landfills around Parkersburg.
The story of DuPont’s actions in Parkersburg came to light in 1998, when a farmer named Wilbur Tennant contacted Bilott, who was then a corporate defense attorney working for DuPont’s clients. Tennant had noticed that his cows were dying from mysterious illnesses, and suspected that it had something to do with the landfill next to his farm, where DuPont had been disposing of C8 waste. Bilott agreed to take on Tennant’s case, and soon discovered a trove of internal documents that revealed DuPont’s knowledge and cover-up of C8’s hazards.
Bilott then filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of 70,000 residents in the Mid-Ohio Valley who had been exposed to C8 through their drinking water. He also negotiated with DuPont to fund a scientific study that would determine the health effects of C8 exposure. The study, which involved testing the blood of 69,000 people, found a probable link between C8 and the six diseases mentioned above. As a result, DuPont agreed to pay $671 million to settle thousands of personal injury claims, and to provide medical monitoring and water treatment for the affected communities.
The film has received critical acclaim for its gripping and compelling portrayal of a David vs. Goliath story, as well as its timely and relevant message about the need for environmental justice and corporate accountability. Ruffalo, who also produced the film, said that he was inspired by Bilott’s courage and perseverance, and wanted to share his story with the world. “He’s a real hero,” Ruffalo said. “He’s an ordinary person who did something extraordinary.”
The film has also sparked a renewed interest and awareness in the issue of PFAS contamination, which is not limited to Parkersburg, but affects millions of people around the world. According to the most recent analysis of state and federal data by EWG, 2,230 locations in 49 states are known to have PFAS contamination, including more than 300 military installations.PFAS have also been found in the blood of polar bears, dolphins, and eagles, as well as in food, soil, and air.
The film “Dark Waters” is a powerful and inspiring story of how one lawyer and one community took on a giant corporation and exposed their toxic legacy. It is also a story of how a film can make a difference in raising awareness and sparking change.
Relevant articles:
– A lasting legacy: DuPont, C8 contamination and the community of … – EHN
– Dark Waters: what DuPont scandal can teach companies about doing the …
– The Dark Waters of Parkersburg, WV: A Warning to Us All – Blue CoLab
– Dark Waters and the True Story of Lawyer Rob Bilott | Time
– DuPont used Chemours, Dow merger to shield itself from PFAS claims …
– Dark Waters (2019 film) – Wikipedia