The Peer Consultation Panel's preliminary report says drinking water isn't the only source of exposure for PFOA or C8. It also says, however, that the primary path of C8 to water has been from DuPont Washington Works, which uses the chemical to make Teflon. And about PFOA itself....

"It has to be in water; it likes to stay around for a long time," says panel member Dr. Mitchell Small. "It travels long distances. So, usually with a lot of other chemicals, we know where to look for it. But PFOA is showing up in lots of different places."

The Peer Panel had a look at both the Washington Works plant and the well field of the Little Hocking Water District, at the beginning of its two days of meetings.

The panel's findings are to be presented to both the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and DuPont, which already is in the process of phasing out its use of the chemical.

"We've announced that we intend to no longer make, buy or use PFOA by 201, or sooner, if possible," says DuPont Team Member David Boothe. "And we are making good progress on that program."

While it's leader says it still has some work to do to finalize its data, the panel's final report is due out by summer.

"And our reccommendations are going to be to try to help DuPont, EPA, and others agree on which of these efforts would be the most effective," Dr. Small says.

As for the chemical's effects, the C8 Science Panel is to release its latest findings later this week.

The meetings, which conclude Tuesday at noon, are being held at the Blennerhassett Hotel, and are open to the public.