Why 'Forever Chemicals' Are Still Spreading

Summary

The video script delves into the alarming presence of PFAS, dubbed 'forever chemicals', in the environment and human bodies, linked to numerous health issues including cancers. It highlights the case of Massachusetts' Hockomock swamp and the state's use of Anvil 10 + 10 pesticide, which was found to contain high levels of PFOA. The script follows Kyla Bennett's journey as a whistleblower and her discovery of PFAS contamination, implicating companies like Inhance Technologies. It raises questions about the EPA's ability to regulate and hold companies accountable for environmental and public health threats.

Takeaways

• 🌿 The Hockomock swamp and vernal pools are central to the study of PFAS contamination, which is linked to Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Massachusetts.
• 🔍 PFAS (Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are toxic, persistent chemicals found in the environment and in the blood of every human alive, posing an urgent public health threat.
• 💧 PFAS contamination is widespread and inescapable, as it is present in water, soil, and even rain, leading to potential health risks over time.
• 🧪 PFAS chemicals are used in various products for their water, oil, and grease resistance, such as Teflon pans and firefighting foam, due to their carbon-fluorine bond.
• 🛡️ PFAS are sometimes referred to as 'forever chemicals' due to their extreme persistence and difficulty to degrade, which can take hundreds to thousands of years.
• 👩‍🔬 Kyla Bennett, a science policy advisor and former EPA employee, became a whistleblower after discovering PFAS contamination in her town's water supply.
• 🚫 The EPA has identified a connection between PFAS contamination and the use of the pesticide Anvil 10 + 10, which was stored in fluorinated containers.
• 🚨 The EPA has issued a Notice of Violation to Inhance Technologies for producing long-chain PFAS through fluorination, which is illegal, but the company continues the practice.
• 🛑 Inhance Technologies argues against the EPA's authority and downplays the significance of the PFAS generated through their processes, leading to a lawsuit from the Department of Justice.
• 🔄 The transition away from fluorinated plastics is happening, as companies like BP Polymers offer alternatives like Kortrax, which does not require post-mold fluorination.
• 🤔 The case of PFAS contamination raises questions about the EPA's ability and willingness to hold polluters accountable and to effectively regulate chemicals that pose significant health risks.

Q & A

What is a vernal pool and why are they significant in the context of the script?

A vernal pool is a seasonal wetland that holds water only during certain times of the year. In the script, they are significant because they are part of the Hockomock swamp, which is the starting point of the story about PFAS contamination and its impact on the environment and public health.

What is Eastern Equine Encephalitis and why is it mentioned in the script?

Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a rare but potentially fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes. It is mentioned because the Hockomock area is a high-risk zone for this disease, which leads to the state of Massachusetts conducting aerial spraying for mosquitoes, and potentially exacerbating PFAS contamination.

What are PFAS and why are they considered a public health threat?

PFAS, or Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, are a large class of chemicals known for their persistence, toxicity, and widespread presence in the environment and human bodies. They are considered a public health threat due to their link to various health issues, including cancers, infertility, and birth defects.

How are PFAS chemicals described in the script and what makes them so persistent?

PFAS chemicals are described as 'forever chemicals' due to their structure of a carbon atom connected to a fluorine atom, which makes them highly persistent and resistant to degradation, often taking years or even thousands of years to break down.

What is the connection between PFAS and the pesticide Anvil 10 + 10 as discussed in the script?

The connection is that Anvil 10 + 10, a pesticide used for mosquito control, was found to contain PFAS chemicals, including PFOA, due to the fluorinated plastic containers in which it was stored. The PFAS leached from the containers into the pesticide.

Who is Kyla Bennett and what role does she play in the script?

Kyla Bennett is a science policy advisor for a nonprofit called PEER (Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility) and a former EPA employee who became a whistleblower. She plays a central role in the script as she investigates the PFAS contamination, uncovering the link between the pesticide Anvil 10 + 10 and PFAS.

What was the outcome of the EPA's investigation into the PFAS contamination in Anvil 10 + 10?

The EPA's investigation found that PFAS contamination in Anvil 10 + 10 was due to the fluorinated plastic containers used by the manufacturer, Clarke. As a result, Clarke was forced to recall the product and change their packaging to non-fluorinated containers.

What is the significance of the company Inhance Technologies in the context of PFAS?

Inhance Technologies is significant because it is identified as the only company in the US responsible for the production of fluorinated plastic through a process called post-mold fluorination, which generates PFAS chemicals.

What legal actions have been taken against Inhance Technologies regarding PFAS production?

The EPA issued a Notice of Violation to Inhance Technologies in March 2022, stating that the production of long-chain PFAS through fluorination is illegal and demanding that they stop. Later, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Inhance for violating US Chemical law.

What is the current stance of Inhance Technologies on the EPA's demand to stop fluorinating plastics?

Inhance Technologies has refused to stop fluorinating plastics, instead claiming that they will attempt to change the process to limit PFAS generation. They argue that the EPA does not have the authority to regulate existing uses of these chemicals and that the amount of PFAS generated is negligible.

How does the script suggest the EPA is handling the PFAS issue and what are the implications?

The script suggests that the EPA is not adequately addressing the PFAS issue, raising questions about its ability and willingness to hold polluters accountable. It implies that the EPA may be overwhelmed by the scale of the problem and concerned about causing public panic.