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Introduction

      This Multidistrict Litigation (“MDL”) was created by Order of the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (“MDL Panel”) on April 9, 2013.  In its April 9, 2013 Order, the MDL Panel found that the actions in this MDL “involve common questions of fact, and that centralization . . . in the Southern District of Ohio will serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses and promote the just and efficient conduct of this litigation.”  

      This MDL consists of over 3500 cases that are currently pending before this Court. The actions are personal injury or wrongful death actions arising out of individuals’ alleged ingestion of drinking water contaminated with a chemical, C-8 (also known as perfluorooctoanoic acid (PFOA) or ammonium perfluorooctanoate (APFO)), discharged from DuPont’s Washington Works Plant near Parkersburg, West Virginia.  The plaintiffs allege that they suffer or suffered from one or more of six diseases for which a “Probable Link” to C-8 exposure finding was made after a study conducted as part of a 2005 settlement between DuPont and a class of approximately 80,000 persons who consumed water from certain drinking water sources, including six water districts allegedly contaminated by C-8 from the Washington Works Plant.  See Leach v. E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co., No. 01-C-608 (W. Va. Cir. Ct.).