DiscoverOutdoor Minimalist200. Are Antimicrobials the New PFAS? with Arlene Blum
200. Are Antimicrobials the New PFAS? with Arlene Blum

200. Are Antimicrobials the New PFAS? with Arlene Blum

Update: 2025-10-07
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What if the same determination it takes to climb some of the world’s highest peaks was also the key to tackling some of the world’s biggest chemical threats?

That’s the story of today’s guest, Arlene Blum. A pioneering mountaineer who co-led the first women’s ascent of Denali and led the first American ascent of Annapurna I, Arlene later turned her focus toward another steep climb: protecting public health from harmful chemicals. 

As the founder of the Green Science Policy Institute, she has helped phase out toxic flame retardants and raised global awareness of PFAS—also known as “forever chemicals.” You may remember her from our Forever Chemicals podcast series last year.

Now, Arlene is sounding the alarm on what could be the next PFAS: antimicrobials. 

As we celebrate 200 episodes of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we explore the parallels between adventure and advocacy and how we can carry the lessons learned from the wilderness to creating change in our own communities.

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More Resources

Green Science Policy Institute: ⁠https://greensciencepolicy.org/⁠

Arlene Blum: https://www.arleneblum.com/

Six Classes: https://www.sixclasses.org/

Breaking Trail Book: https://www.arleneblum.com/product/breaking-trail-a-climbing-life/

Environmental Working Group: https://www.ewg.org/

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200. Are Antimicrobials the New PFAS? with Arlene Blum

200. Are Antimicrobials the New PFAS? with Arlene Blum

Black-Footed Ferret Productions, LLC