Mid-Ohio Valley residents with high levels of a chemical used to produce Teflon also have higher cholesterol levels.

The finding is part of a filing involving a massive health screening of residents living near DuPont's Washington Works Plant in Wood County.

A science panel that's reviewing medical histories and blood samples from about 69,000 residents says nothing conclusive can be drawn so far involving the chemical known as C8.

Residents who work or live closest to the plant had about six times more of the chemical in their blood.

But, the panel said additional research would be needed to determine if there is a link between diabetes and cholesterol levels.

DuPont spokesman Dan Turner said today the company supports the panel's work.

DuPont has maintained that C8 does not harm human health.

The chemical, which has been used since World War II, is used to produce the nonstick substance Teflon and a variety of other products, from flooring to food packaging.