PFAS

Earlier this year, after broadcasting our episode with Dr. Jason Bara about microplastics, we got an email from a listener named Hank asking if we would consider doing an episode on forever chemicals. Turns out, these two things are often brought up together in conversation—they’re both pollutants, both a bit of a headache to get rid of, and both are indicative of the advancements of technology. As Dr. Bara said in our microplastics episode, there may never be a world where we completely stop the use of plastics. As it turns out, that may also be true for these forever chemicals, or PFAS. Non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothes, cosmetics, the carpet industry, even foam used by firefighters all have these pesky chemicals roaming about.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has donated more than fifty-two million dollars to solve Alabama’s pollution problems. The list includes PFAS, which is used in the creation of consumer products like Teflon and Scotchguard. Environmental activists say it’s not enough.

DECATUR, Ala. (AP) — 3M says it is expanding an investigation of possible chemical contamination around its north Alabama plant in Decatur.WAAY-TV reports…