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Steelworkers Union Says Latest Accident in Brazil Raises Questions about Safety of DuPont Plants

For Immediate Release                                          October 10, 2006

(Pittsburgh, PA) - Three workers were injured, one seriously, in an explosion at the DuPont (NYSE:DD) Guarulhos, São Paulo state, Brazil facility on October 5, according to the chemical workers’ union Sindiquímicos, Força Sindical, as told to the United Steelworkers (USW).  The Brazilian union stated that DuPont declined to provide any information on the “mysterious accident” and would not allow the union to enter the plant and conduct an investigation at the time.

“We wonder how DuPont continues to maintain its reputation as a safe company and sells its safety program to other companies in the wake of serious accidents?” asked Jim Rowe, USW Local 943 President in Deepwater, New Jersey, who visited Guarulhos and Camaçari facilities in late August, but was denied an opportunity to tour the facilities by DuPont.

According to the Brazilian union, ten emergency vehicles were taken to the explosion and one worker was taken to the hospital.

“The situation is serious, given that the company handles flammable products that present a high risk of fire. To make things worse, there is a housing project located in the rear area of the DuPont facilities,” said Antonio Silvan, president of Sindiquímicos.