Charleston, W.Va. (AP) -- A new West Virginia University study suggests children with more of the chemical C8 in their blood tend to have high cholesterol as well.

The study said researchers found higher levels of C8 are significantly associated with high levels of cholesterol. Earlier research tied C8 exposure to high cholesterol levels in adults.

The latest research was conducted as part of a settlement of a class-action lawsuit brought by Ohio and West Virginia residents against DuPont Co. The residents allege exposure to ammonium perfluorooctanoate from DuPont's Washington Works plant. Also known as PFOA or C8, the chemical is used to make teflon.

The study was filed Friday in Wood County Circuit Court.

A statement released by DuPont to WTAP Sunday notes the Science Panel states "These data cannot prove whether the PFOA and PFOS differences in these children caused the observed shift in cholesterol or whether there is another explanation."