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

[appalachiablue]

'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

[DJ Porkchop]

1. Dark Waters (2019)

DuPont knew too.

[appalachiablue]

3. Yes, Dupont was a huge producer & profiteer that knew the dangers. Dark Waters,

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)

[dweller]

2. How would one go about

Getting blood tested for these chemicals ?

🤔


✌🏻

[appalachiablue]

5. I guess check with a doctor, contact a good health clinic or the

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]

7. I googled it

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

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



✌🏻

[appalachiablue]

8. Wow, that is high. Still, some facility should lower the price for people

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

[LakeVermilion]

4. There is irony here.

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]

6. The truth, I'm hoping to replace some plastic home items and

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.