Of the tens of thousands of area residents who participated in the C8 health study, more than 12,000 were children and adolescents. Those children were found to have elevated levels of cholesterol, including l-d-l or "bad" cholesterol, scientists linked to PFOA. The study was conducted by the West Wirginia University School of Medicine.

"We really need to be able to start to get a better handle on how exactly are we being exposed to these, certainly beyond the population in the Parkersburg area," said Stephanie Frisbee of the School of Medicine, "but how we're being exposed to these...once the chemicals get into our bodies, what they're doing once they're there."

Research conducted by DuPont's own scientists also found higher levels of cholesterol in its employees. But Frisbee cautions that these findings are just one element of a still ongoing study.

"We are continuing tho evaluate the data that were collected as part of the C8 Health Study," she said. "We will continue to publish and work toward better understanding of any potential ideological association between these chemicals and human health."

DuPont responded in part by saying the C8 Science Panel has not yet found a direct connection between PFOA and higher cholesterol levels in humans.

DuPont said, citing the Science Panel's own findings:

“Interpretation of these results is made difficult by the cross-sectional design of our study, which prohibits knowing whether an increase in cholesterol (or LDL cholesterol) may have followed or preceded an increase in PFOA or PFOS. The mechanism by which these chemicals might be related to cholesterol in humans is not known. These data alone cannot prove whether the PFOA and PFOS differences in these children caused the observed shift in cholesterol, or whether there is another explanation.”

DuPont Washington Works also said any levels of PFOA in teflon-coated cookware are small...adding that no human health effects are known to be caused by PFOA.

"Human studies have evaluated many health endpoints across a wide range of exposed populations," the company's statement said. "While some associations have been reported, no human health effects are known to be caused by PFOA. A considerable number of human health studies are ongoing, and results will be available over the next several years."