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appalachiablue

(42,822 posts)
Wed Sep 18, 2024, 07:01 PM Sep 18

3M Knew For Years That Forever Chemicals/PFAS Were Leaching Into Our Blood; Developed in 1950s

'How 3M knew for years that forever chemicals were leaching into our blood,' Execs Convinced Scientist They Were Safe, KCRW, Sep 13, 24.
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PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals that are resistant to water, grease, and heat. Developed in the 1950s, they're used in tons of consumer products including food packaging, cookware, carpets, clothing, shampoo, dental floss, and ski wax. Because PFAS are so difficult to break down, they're known as "forever chemicals."

These Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances are in our air, our water, our land, and our blood. And yes, they're bad for us.

In a riveting and infuriating story for ProPublica and The New Yorker, investigative journalist Sharon Lerner discusses how 3M, the company that makes everything from Scotch tape and bandages to sponges and car window tints, knew for years that PFOS, a fluorochemical in the PFAS family, was making its way into human blood.

Lerner's story focuses on chemist Kris Hansen, who in 1996, while working for 3M, discovered PFOS in human blood. Hansen's superiors were skeptical of her findings. They gaslit her, moved her to other projects, and marginalized her within the company, effectively burying her research. 3M continued using PFOS in its products until 2000, leading to widespread environmental and health contamination.

Although PFOS is no longer used in the United States, the class of compounds known as PFAS includes thousands of chemicals that are literally everywhere — in cars, cell phones, paint, coatings, cosmetics. 3M now faces thousands of lawsuits over PFAS. Hansen's work eventually led to EPA regulations on PFAS in drinking water. ---
https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/good-food/cocktail-recipes-ancient-beers-plastics/3m-forever-chemicals-pfas-sharon-lerner
Keep KCRW independent
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- 'How 3M Executives Convinced a Scientist the Forever Chemicals She Found in Human Blood Were Safe,' ProPublica, May 20, 2024,
https://www.propublica.org/article/3m-forever-chemicals-pfas-pfos-inside-story

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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3M Knew For Years That Forever Chemicals/PFAS Were Leaching Into Our Blood; Developed in 1950s (Original Post) appalachiablue Sep 18 OP
Dark Waters (2019) DJ Porkchop Sep 18 #1
Yes, Dupont was a huge producer & profiteer that knew the dangers. Dark Waters, appalachiablue Sep 18 #3
How would one go about dweller Sep 18 #2
I guess check with a doctor, contact a good health clinic or the appalachiablue Sep 19 #5
I googled it dweller Sep 19 #7
Wow, that is high. Still, some facility should lower the price for people appalachiablue Sep 20 #8
There is irony here. LakeVermilion Sep 19 #4
The truth, I'm hoping to replace some plastic home items and appalachiablue Sep 19 #6

appalachiablue

(42,822 posts)
3. Yes, Dupont was a huge producer & profiteer that knew the dangers. Dark Waters,
Wed Sep 18, 2024, 08:36 PM
Sep 18

excellent film, luv Mark Ruffalo as Rob Billot the real Cincinnati corp attorney who researched and exposed Dupont's illegal chemical dumping into the Ohio River. He had a brief cameo in the film. Thanks for posting. (I likely drank some of that water when young). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Waters_(2019_film)

appalachiablue

(42,822 posts)
5. I guess check with a doctor, contact a good health clinic or the
Thu Sep 19, 2024, 05:45 PM
Sep 19

local (govt.) health dept. There must be a way to get tested if you have concerns esp if the area you worked or lived in has high concentrations.

I remember seeing Maps of exposed areas in the US a few years ago. Can't remember the website, maybe try a Google search. Best and thanks for posting.

dweller

(24,901 posts)
7. I googled it
Thu Sep 19, 2024, 06:18 PM
Sep 19

It’s about $400-600 for a lab to test …

I’m thinking they don’t want you to know
😐



✌🏻

appalachiablue

(42,822 posts)
8. Wow, that is high. Still, some facility should lower the price for people
Fri Sep 20, 2024, 09:29 PM
Sep 20

who don't have those resources. It's a serious public health issue. Maybe EWG or Propublica would have some suggestions.

LakeVermilion

(1,174 posts)
4. There is irony here.
Thu Sep 19, 2024, 07:00 AM
Sep 19

Many of the products containing PFOS are in demand. They are so ingrained in our world that we would have to be willing to make drastic lifestyle changes if the forever chemicals were eliminated.

PFOS are the unintended consequence of modern life.

appalachiablue

(42,822 posts)
6. The truth, I'm hoping to replace some plastic home items and
Thu Sep 19, 2024, 05:54 PM
Sep 19

know it will take some research, effort and time. But that's OK, do the best I can. I'll want to replace 3M, scotchbrand dish scrubbers, plastic containers and then go from there. These toxins are in everything, shampoo, detergent and more. Thanks for posting.

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