PFOA stories

"I just spoke with Ann [Bradley], who reached Terry Headley and AndyGallagher in the DEP public information officer," wrote Dawn Jackson,then a DuPont public relations official, in an e-mail message to othercompany representatives."The attached news release has been sent to the media," Jackson wrote."Ann explained to Andy that releasing this kind of statement withoutinput from Dr. Staats is unacceptable, stated that we had had thisproblem before with statements containing errors being released withoutDr. Staats' approval, and asked that Andy Gallagher arrange a meetingwith WVDEP Secretary Callaghan. Andy said that the Secretary is out oftown, but he will set up something with his office when he returns."Gallagher tried to edit the release to address DuPont's concerns, butthe company was not satisfied."Ann Bradley, [DuPont official] Bernie Reilly and I conferenced brieflyjust a few minutes ago," Jackson wrote in an e-mail. "Ann had a chanceto speak with Dr. Staats, the science adviser for the state consentorder work, and she is furious that the press release was issued withouther review. She agrees with the need to speak with Secretary Callaghan."Jackson continued, "Also, Andy Gallagher called Ann back shortly before6 p.m. to tell her that he had issued a notice to the AP wire service topull the story that he had released earlier."Jackson wrote that if DuPont received any media inquiries about therelease, she would say, "We understand that the WVDEP has disavowed thatstatement, and it is appropriate that you contact them." She would thenrefer callers to Staats for any further comments.Last week, Bradley said she did not recall specifics, but that thecompany "identified factual errors in press releases."In Gallagher's deposition, DuPont lawyer Stephen Fennell asked about aMay news release.Bradley had reviewed it before it was issued. She corrected twomisspellings of the full chemical name for C8, and suggested using thephrase "reduce exposure levels" instead of "remediate" to describe therequirements of the company's 2001 consent order with the DEP.In an interview, Bradley said that she did not make a habit of editingthe DEP's news releases."There may have been one or two press releases, but I don't recall itbeing a routine matter," Bradley said.