Following the drinking water contamination regulation that the E.P.A has recently established on PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, commonly known as “forever chemicals”), we revisited the 2019 film “Dark Waters”. This movie highlights the long, dramatic story of how these man-made chemicals have begun to become regulated. Mark Ruffalo plays Rob Bilott, a corporate defense lawyer who becomes aware of an issue with DuPont chemical manufacturing company and their effects on the local community. The small rural community was being exposed to PFAS and the E.P.A. was unaware of their existence, their effects on human health and the environment and therefore did not regulate these compounds.
After decades of fighting to hold DuPont responsible, Rob ultimately wins well over half a billion dollars for the people of the community that were exposed PFAS. This story reminds us of the importance of the work we do here at McAlister GeoScience and the work the EPA does to protect human health and the environment.
Image courtesy of IMDB
The goal of this current initiative by the E.P.A. is to reduce the levels of six PFAS compounds known to the U.S. government to be in drinking water across the nation. This includes PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and any combination of two or more of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS.
To learn more about PFAS and how commercial business will be effected, please read our previous post.
For more guidance, contact us here.
