Chemical exposure in people and how companies conceal risks from the public, with investigative reporter Sharon Lerner and Professor Philippe Grandjean
Description
In a recent New Yorker article, investigative reporter Sharon Lerner writes about former 3M scientist Kris Hansen who conducted a study in the 90s where she found PFAs forever chemicals in the general public's blood. 3M executives told her PFAS chemicals weren't harmful, she believed them. Decades later she would learn the truth about the serious risks of PFAS exposure, and why she decided to speak out against the company she worked at for decades.
We are aware of the harmful effects of PFAs because of Professor Philippe Grandjean, a Danish Toxicologist. In the first part of today’s episode, Ken is joined by Sharon Lerner and talks about the human experience 3m scientist Kris Hansen has gone through since finding out her employer lied to her and the general public for decades. Sharon Lerner refers to Professor Philippe Grandjean’s groundbreaking work in her article and in the second part of today’s episode, Ken is joined by Professor Grandjean to speak about one of his own articles that explores the vested interest in keeping facts about chemical exposure a secret from the public.
Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:
How 3M Discovered, Then Concealed, the Dangers of Forever Chemicals (The New Yorker)
Sharon Lerner's work at ProPublica
Is Pollution Value-Maximizing? The Dupont Case (National Bureau Of Economic Research)
Paracelsus Revisited: The Dose Concept in a Complex World
Lead: Celebrate its ban, but don't cross it off your list (EWG)
Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.
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