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      PFAS protest

      Like Tobacco and Big Oil, Secret Docs Show Chemical Companies Knew PFAS Dangers

      "These documents reveal clear evidence that the chemical industry knew about the dangers of PFAS and failed to let the public, regulators, and even their own employees know the risks."

      Brett Wilkins
      Jun 01, 2023

      An analysis of previously secret documents published Wednesday sheds new light on how chemical corporations aped Big Tobacco by conspiring to conceal the extreme toxicity of a class of synthetic compounds contaminating the Earth's air, water, soil, plants, and animals—including most of the world's people.

      Commonly called "forever chemicals" because they do not biodegrade and accumulate in the human body, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—which include PFOS, PFOA, and GenX—have myriad uses, from nonstick cookware to waterproof clothing to firefighting foam. According to the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, PFAS is linked to cancers of the kidneys and testicles, low infant weight, suppressed immune function, and other adverse health effects. It is found in the blood of 99% of Americans and a similar percentage of people around the world.

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      Activists protest PFAS outside the Massachusetts State House in Boston on June 16, 2022.

      Groups Sue to Stop Company's 'Forever Chemical' Contamination of Plastic Containers

      "These PFAS-laden containers present an ongoing danger to workers, consumers, and the environment," said one campaigner.

      Brett Wilkins
      Dec 27, 2022

      A pair of nonprofit advocacy groups on Tuesday sued a Texas company in a bid to stop it from generating so-called "forever chemicals" while manufacturing plastic containers.

      The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) filed the federal environmental lawsuit in Washington, D.C. alleging Houston-based Inhance Technologies USA is violating the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) during the fluorination of plastic containers used to hold food, personal care items, and many other products.

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