Fungicide Causes Babies to Be Born Without Eyes

Benlate is a fungicide that was developed by DuPont. It had been used on crops around the world, however, research began to surface linking the main ingredient, benomyl, to birth defects among women exposed to the fungicide. It was removed from shelves in 2001, but not before hundreds and possibly even thousands were put at risk.

DuPont has developed a vegetable crop fungicide, which is known as Benlate. The main ingredient in Benlate is bynomyl.

Before DuPont discontinued manufacturing Benlate in 2001, this fungicide had long been one of DuPont's most successful products and was registered worldwide for many crops. Benomyl was first synthesized by DuPont in 1959.

Production of Benlate began at the Belle, West Virginia plant in 1969. Benlate was introduced in 1970 in a wettable powder form. Additionally, the company attempted to introduce another alternative, however, due to the presence of an herbicide in some lots, the alternative was recalled in 1989 and 1991.

Benlate and Lawsuits

These recalls of Benlate due to contamination generated hundreds of claims--mainly for damage to crops. DuPont initially paid many claims and initiated their own studies into the alleged damages. When their studies did not duplicate the claimed injuries from Benlate, the company declined to pay any further claims.

In the following decade, DuPont faced hundreds of Benlate lawsuits ranging from crop damage to personal injury. The litigation results were mixed. Cases have been both won and lost by DuPont in various courts. Ultimately, citing business reasons, the company decided to stop manufacturing Benlate worldwide in 2001, even though they still claim there is no credible scientific evidence demonstrating that Benlate caused either damages to crops or injuries to human health.

The company has faced a vast number of claims for Benlate damage to crops, soil, and health, and announced that it is no longer willing to bear the high and continuing costs of defending the product in the US legal system.

DuPont continues to defend itself in legal ongoing matters. As of June 30, 2004, DuPont has incurred costs and expenses of approximately $1.9 billion from all Benlate associated matters. The company has recovered approximately $250 million of its costs and expenses through insurance.

Benlate and Exposure During Pregnancy

However, studies have shown that the exposure to Benlate in the first trimester of pregnancy can cause anopthalmia (no eyes) or microphthalmia (small eyes) in a fetus. Thus, a fetus would not fully develop or would not develop anything at all in their eye cavities. In 1972 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advised DuPont that it should put a label on Benlate warning that it could cause birth defects and exposure during pregnancy should be avoided.

But lobbying by DuPont persuaded the EPA that a warning on the Benlate label was misleading and unnecessary. If you have been exposed to Benlate Fungicide and have suffered injury, you may have a legal case and it is advisable to contact an experienced legal counsel for the chance at developing a Benlate Fungicide lawsuit.

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