Season 12 • Episode 913

913 - Uncovering America's Decades-Long PFAS Contamination

Jun 30, 2025

22:05

Environmental Health Liver Disease Public Health Health Policy

Episode Description

About this episode:

Since the 1950s, companies have been using PFAS—or "forever chemicals"—to manufacture everyday household items from waterproof mascara to shaving cream to Bandaids. Research and advocacy have not only linked these chemicals to certain cancers, liver disease, and fertility issues, but they have also posited that 97% of Americans have traces of PFAS in their blood. In this episode: guest host Tom Burke talks with writer Rachel Frazin about her new book outlining the dark history of PFAS in American manufacturing, the communities across the country demanding accountability and regulation, and the near future of regulation of drinking water.

Guest:

Rachel Frazin covers energy and environmental policy for The Hill and is the co-author of the book Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America.

Host:

Dr. Tom Burke is an emeritus professor at Johns Hopkins and a former top official with the Environmental Protection Agency in the Obama administration.

Show links and related content:

Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America (book)—Island Press
Exposure to "forever chemicals" before birth may raise blood pressure during teen years–American Heart Association
Trump Administration to Uphold Some PFAS Limits but Eliminate Others—The New York Times
What You Need to Know About PFAS, Or "Forever Chemicals"—Public Health On Call (April 2024)

Transcript information:

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