Question

1.At the beginning of the movie "Dark Waters" a substance is dumped into the water. That substance is later identified as PFOAC8 - a PFOALinks to an external site. or chlorofluorocarbon chain that is said to be poisonous. Why was this chemical so dangerous? What examples were shown in the movie to demonstrate the dangerousness of the substance?

2. While much of Dark Waters, as the title suggests, centers on contaminated water, the story of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), the Teflon-linked chemical at the heart of the film, is also a story about air pollution. Much of the film looks back to history, DuPont’s pollution and the company’s decades-long cover-up. What were some of the effects of the pollution on different organisms in the environment? Describe 3 - 5 examples of how the pollution reached different organisms and what happened to them because of it.
3. How were the people of West Virginia "swindled" by Dupont? Explain in detail the legal moves made by Dupont and what it meant for the people of the community.

4.How did Dupont, "A Titan of Industry" try to shut down the lawsuit against them? Did it work?
Money was the driving force throughout this case. How did money help or hinder the process on both sides of the case? Give specific details from the movie to support your answers.

Answer 1

The film Dark Waters highlights the dangers of PFOA, showcasing its impact on human health and the environment. It also details how DuPont attempted to cover up the toxic effects of PFOA and the subsequent legal battle that ensued. Money influenced the legal proceedings, allowing DuPont to delay the process while also enabling the scientific investigation that eventually helped the plaintiffs' case.

Step-by-step explanation:

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a dangerous chemical because of its persistent nature and ability to bioaccumulate. It was used in the production of Teflon and other materials and is linked to various health and environmental issues. The movie Dark Waters showcased the hazardous impacts of PFOA, illustrating examples such as contaminated drinking water leading to diseases in humans and animals, deformed livestock, and increased cancer rates.

Among several organisms affected by PFOA pollution, three to five examples include aquatic animals suffering due to the breakdown of Teflon-coated materials into toxic substances, wildlife storing persistent organic pollutants from chemicals dispersed globally, and humans developing serious illnesses after being exposed to contaminated water and food chains.

The people of West Virginia were 'swindled' by DuPont as the company concealed knowledge about the toxic effects of PFOA, failed to properly dispose of chemical waste, and ignored the resultant health hazards to the community. Legally, DuPont used its financial and industrial power to attempt to dismiss the lawsuit by questioning scientific evidence and the credibility of the plaintiffs, although they were ultimately unsuccessful.

In the context of the lawsuit, money played a significant role by enabling DuPont to fund a robust legal defense and delaying the legal process. On the side of the plaintiffs, financial support was critical for continuing the lengthy legal battle and conducting scientific studies to establish the harm caused by PFOA. The story portrays a classic David vs. Goliath scenario where perseverance and factual evidence eventually helped achieve justice for the affected community.