
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, July 13, 1995                   TAG: 9507140015
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium

WOMEN TAKE IMPLANT COMPLAINT TO CONGRESS, SEEK INVESTIGATION

Dozens of women who say their breast implants made them sick went to the Capitol on Wednesday, accusing Dow Corning Corp. of lying and asking Congress to investigate.

Also Wednesday, Rep. James Traficant asked for an investigation into whether the company lied in 1990 testimony before Congress about the safety of the implants.

Janet Van Winkle, founder of American Silicone Implant Survivors, said the women have launched a petition drive to get congressional leaders to listen to their complaints. ``We have been lied to. As consumers, we have been lied to; as patients we have been lied to. Congress has been lied to,'' she said to the applause of the women holding a rally near the Capitol steps.

The Kirkwood, Mo., woman said that since her breast implant surgery in 1976 she has been ill with numerous implant ruptures.

``The American public does not think this affects them,'' said Nancy Tripodi-Smith of Warren, Ohio, who had a breast augmentation in 1989. ``Well ... remember us the next time you hear the words laboratory-tested, completely safe.''

In April, Dow Corning, the biggest implant maker; Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., and several other corporations settled a class-action suit with more than 400,000 women for $4.2 billion. Dow Corning's share of the largest product liability settlement in U.S. history was $2 billion.

Since then, about 70,000 women have filed claims, far more than initial expectations. That means women who were expecting net payments ranging from $105,000 to $1.4 million could receive as little as $5,250 to $70,000.

The women say that unless there is an increase in the fund they may opt out of the agreement and file separate suits.

Dow Corning filed for protection from creditors under bankruptcy laws on May 15 because of the breast implant litigation. Dow Corning is owned by Dow Chemical and Corning Inc.

Dow Chemical spokesman Dan Fellner said the company would welcome a congressional hearing to ``address the fundamental issue - do implants cause disease. All of the recent scientific evidence has shown no link between implants and disease.''

by CNB