DuPont Pays Heavy Price For Teflon Cover-Up

DuPont's cover-up over allegations it failed to reveal the dangers of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) -- the chemical used to make Teflon -- reached closure when the company and the EPA agreed to a settlement that could amount to more than $300 million in civil fines.
That huge number -- the maximum fine the government can levy -- represents pocket change to a company like DuPont, however, considering the EPA alleges the chemical giant covered up vital information about PFOA's dire health effects for 20 years.
Of course, the EPA might have been more able to act on PFOA more quickly had DuPont submitted test results on humans nearly a quarter-century ago...
Just a reminder, Teflon coats, not only non-stick cookware, but the paper plates you use to eat meals and paper bags of microwave popcorn you thought were safe to eat for a snack.

San Francisco Chronicle November 29, 2005
Washington Post November 30, 2005