To the editor:
Our community and others have PFAS drinking water contamination over the EPA limit. For those interested in
how these chemicals became so widespread, this is well-explained in The Daily podcast “Are Forever Chemicals a
Forever Problem?” It is also dramatically and accurately told in the movie Dark Waters, on Netflix. Feel free to
Google a fact check of the movie.
In short, this is simply the result that ineffectively regulated capitalism gives us, a model that prioritizes profit over
public welfare consideration. The podcast explains the origin of forever chemicals, but more importantly illustrates
the revenue model followed by the companies making these chemicals even after realizing the adverse public
effects caused from production. This information was not shared publicly or with regulators. Why? Because if their
actions became known, and if the ensuing the legal fight ultimately held them to account, the seemingly huge fine
from a settlement would be a minor compared to the massive profits already made before and during the years
that such litigation requires. This same model was exercised by Big Tobacco, Big Pharma (opioid epidemic), and
others…deny, hide internal information, delay, sew distrust in science until the evidence is undeniable, then settle.
If the 2008 financial meltdown was not a wakeup call on the fallacy of corporate self-regulation (trust to consider
public interests, not just profits), maybe PFAS in our drinking water is the final straw. Unfortunately, appropriate
levels of regulation to protect the public are a necessity, not an option. Even more unfortunately, we have far right
politicians and parties that want to water down our regulatory institutions by attempting to defund or even remove
their authority. Remember this when you vote this fall. If not for yourself, then for your children and for their
children.
James Hill
Hastings