When “Dark Waters” hit theaters in 2019, it rippled through the American society. It isn’t just another legal thriller; it exposes a decades-long environmental scandal that affected countless Americans.
Based on real-life events, the movie is a stark reminder of the power of corporations and the lengths they’ll go to protect their profits. Starring Mark Ruffalo as attorney Robert Bilott, the movie strikes a chord with viewers for its suspenseful storytelling and alarming real-world implications.
This blog post dives into the real story behind the film and uncovers the startling truths it revealed.
The Real-Life Legal Battle
The movie revolves around the battle between Cincinnati-based corporate defense attorney Robert Bilott and chemical giant DuPont. Bilott’s life took an unexpected turn in 1998 when a farmer named Wilbur Tennant approached him with a troubling situation.
Tennant’s livestock in West Virginia was dying at alarming rates. According to TIME, he suspected pollution from a nearby DuPont landfill was to blame. Upon digging deeper, Bilott discovered that the substance responsible for the deaths was PFOA, also known as C8. It is a man-made chemical used to manufacture Teflon. What shocked Bilott even more was that DuPont had been aware of the dangers posed by PFOA for decades.
Internal documents revealed that DuPont had been dumping this chemical into the local water supply since the 1950s. Thus contaminating the drinking water of over 70,000 residents. This triggered a series of legal battles, ultimately leading to a class-action lawsuit. DuPont agreed to pay $671 million to nearly 3,550 individuals to settle the claims.
The Devastating Health and Environmental Consequences
As it turned out, PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid, was far from harmless. It didn’t just affect the environment; it took a serious toll on human health. Numerous studies linked exposure to the chemical with several serious health conditions, including leukemia, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, and birth defects.
In one instance, DuPont’s Teflon division employees reported high birth defect rates in their children due to exposure to the chemical during pregnancy. The Meaning of Water reveals that two in seven pregnant Dupont employees birthed babies with defects. The company decided to study this phenomenon but discreetly discarded it. Even more alarming is that DuPont knew about these health risks and actively concealed them from the public and regulatory agencies.
They even conducted secret medical studies on their workers, confirming the chemical’s harmful effects. The company continued dumping PFOA into rivers and landfills, disregarding internal and external warnings. Parkersburg, West Virginia, became ground zero for this environmental disaster. Residents reported unusually high rates of cancer, birth defects, and other health issues.
One particularly heart-wrenching story is that of Bucky Bailey, born with facial deformities after his mother worked in a DuPont plant while pregnant. His mother, Sue Bailey, was a worker at the plant and was tasked with ensuring that the chemicals didn’t leak into the Ohio River. She worked in a small room with no windows.
Moreover, The Cinemaholic states that she wasn’t given any special equipment or gear and wasn’t warned of the chemical’s risks. Bucky had endured 30 surgeries by the time he became 5. He received a metal plate facial reconstruction, rob cartilage, and multiple skin grafts. Like many others, his story put a human face on the devastation caused by corporate negligence.
These shocking revelations highlight the danger of corporate negligence, which continues to impact communities today. The fight against DuPont was long and arduous, filled with numerous legal battles. A major turning point was the class-action lawsuit filed against the company. This lawsuit paved the way for other toxic exposure cases.
Parallels to Ongoing Environmental Issues
While Dark Waters focuses specifically on DuPont, it’s a chilling reminder of the broader issue of toxic chemical exposure. The legal victory won by Bilott was significant, but it was far from the end of the battle. Even today, lawsuits continue against companies involved in producing and distributing toxic substances, one prominent example being the AFFF lawsuit.
TorHoerman Law reveals that firefighters used AFFF, or aqueous film-forming foam, for decades to combat high-intensity fires. Unfortunately, the foam contains PFAS, chemicals similar to PFOA, which have been linked to water contamination and severe health issues. Like in the Dark Waters case, affected communities are now fighting to hold these companies responsible for their negligent actions.
The comparison between these cases highlights how history continues to repeat itself as corporations prioritize profits over public health.
The Real-Life Impact and How the Fight Continues
The exposure of DuPont’s actions in Dark Waters led to significant changes. However, the road to justice was long and filled with obstacles. After years of legal battles, the company paid hundreds of millions in settlements, yet this was only a small fraction of its annual profits.
The settlements helped fund scientific studies that confirmed the link between PFOA and various health issues. But, the communities struck by the contamination had already incurred damage. However, Bilott’s fight did more than secure financial compensation for the victims. It brought about regulatory changes that have led to stricter oversight of chemicals like PFOA and PFAS.
Today, the legacy of this case serves as a warning to corporations and the public about the dangers of unchecked environmental pollution. The film has helped raise awareness about the importance of environmental justice and the need for stronger legal protections against corporate malfeasance. However, introducing this complex legal battle to the big screen was no small feat. The film’s creators had to condense years of litigation and scientific research into a two-hour movie.
But when they did so, RadioTimes noted that it drove down DuPont’s stock price. Moreover, while the film stays true to the core events, it does take some creative liberties. For instance, the scenario when Bilott’s boss, Tom Terp, confronts him after he shares his research with the Environmental Protection Agency is made up.
However, outlandish scenes like the staff experimentation with Teflon-laced cigarettes and Wilbur Tennant aiming his gun at a DuPont helicopter are factual events. Furthermore, the timeline is compressed, and some characters are composites of real people.
Nevertheless, these changes don’t affect the film’s powerful message. The film did more than entertain; it educated and mobilized. After its release, public scrutiny of chemical companies intensified. Many viewers were shocked to learn about the existence of “forever chemicals” in everyday products.
The film’s impact extended to policy changes. Several states have since passed stricter regulations on PFAS chemicals, the group to which PFOA belongs. Some companies have also voluntarily phased out the use of these chemicals in their products.
People Also Ask
Q1. Are there any other movies similar to ‘Dark Waters’ that address environmental issues?
Absolutely! ‘Erin Brockovich,’ ‘Eating Our Way To Extinction,’ ‘Don’t Look Up,’ ‘Seaspiracy,’ and ‘A Civil Action’ are great examples. These films tackle real-life issues of individuals fighting against corporate giants responsible for environmental pollution.
Q2. What happened to DuPont after Dark Waters?
After the events depicted in “Dark Waters,” DuPont faced increased scrutiny and legal challenges. They paid hundreds of millions in settlements and were forced to phase out PFOA. The company later spun off its chemical division, creating a new entity called Chemours to handle ongoing liabilities related to PFOA contamination.
Q3. Are PFOA and PFAS still used today?
While PFOA has been phased out in the US, related chemicals in the PFAS family are still widely used. Many companies have switched to “shorter-chain” PFAS, claiming them safer. However, scientists are concerned these alternatives may pose similar health risks, leading to ongoing debates about regulation.
All in all, Dark Waters is more than just a movie; it’s a wake-up call. It uncovers the uncomfortable truth that, even in modern society, corporations can and do put public health at risk in the name of profit. The legal battle between Bilott and DuPont may have ended in a landmark victory. But the fight for environmental justice continues.
As viewers, we can play a role in this ongoing battle. Stay informed about the products you use and the companies you support. Advocate for stronger environmental regulations in your community. Remember, every small action counts in the fight for a cleaner, safer environment.
