In this harrowing documentary, filmmaker Stephanie Soechtig presents a case study of harm wreaked by the release of toxic chemicals into the environment, followed by corporate malfeasance in withholding knowledge of the danger from the public. The film begins with a DuPont plant in Parkersburg, WV, that began producing Teflon (used as a non-stick coating for kitchenware) in the 1940s, and at the time assured locals that the manufacturing process posed no health threat. But a farmer who shared a stream where the plant dumped waste began losing his cattle to disease, and plant workers were also affected—women gave birth to disfigured children and others became ill, often with cancer. Schoolteacher Joe Kiger initiated a class-action lawsuit that revealed the company knew that C8 (or PFOA)—a chemical used in Teflon—was dangerous. When 3M, which manufactured C8 for use in its Scotchgard products and sold the compound to DuPont, stopped making it, DuPont’s subsidiary Chermours began producing it themselves. Kiger’s class-action suit led to a nearly $700 million settlement, but many felt that DuPont got off easy. Soechtig personalizes this unhappy story by interviewing employees at the plant who have become sick or recall those who have died, and by focusing on Bucky Bailey, one of the affected children, who has had over 30 operations. She also notes that more than 99% of Americans show traces of C8 in their bloodstreams, and points to the revolving door at EPA (which creates a cozy relationship with chemical companies) as a reason why enforcement is so lax. Recommended. [Note: this is also being sold on home video by Atlas Films for $14.99.] Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
The Devil We Know
(2018) 88 min. DVD: $95: public libraries; $395: colleges & universities. DRA. Tugg. PPR. Volume 34, Issue 5
The Devil We Know
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