Research from UC San Francisco has unveiled the chemical industry’s efforts to hide the dangers of PFAS (“forever chemicals”), in a manner parallel to the tobacco industry’s notorious information suppression tactics. Particularly, DuPont and 3M are found to have withheld facts about the health hazards associated with PFAS. The industry’s knowledge about the toxicity of these chemicals, widely utilized in items like clothing, household goods, and food, predates public and regulatory awareness. This is a result of the industry’s deliberate efforts to conceal health risks, reminiscent of tactics employed by the tobacco industry.
The recent study, published in the Annals of Global Health on June 1, 2023, investigates confidential industry documents from DuPont and 3M, the largest producers of PFAS. These documents offer a deep dive into the tactics employed by the industry to stall public and regulatory understanding of the toxic nature of PFAS and consequently delay governing regulations.
UCSF researchers have, for the first time, analyzed these documents using methods previously applied to expose the tobacco industry’s deception. These chemicals, often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their resistance to degradation, have become pervasive in our environment and within our bodies.
Tracey J. Woodruff, PhD, director of the UCSF Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment (PRHE) and the paper’s senior author, noted, “The documents provide clear evidence of the industry’s awareness of PFAS dangers and their failure to communicate these risks to the public, regulators, and even their own employees.”
The clandestine documents were discovered during a lawsuit led by attorney Robert Bilott against DuPont for PFAS contamination. These documents, covering a span from 1961 to 2006, were provided to UCSF’s Chemical Industry Documents Library by the producers of the documentary, “The Devil We Know.”
First author of the paper, Nadia Gaber, MD, PhD, emphasizes the significance of having access to these documents, stating, “This research is crucial for informing policy and transitioning towards a precautionary approach for chemical regulation rather than a reactionary one.”
The researchers report that despite the public’s limited knowledge about PFAS toxicity for the first 50 years of their use, industry studies had shown adverse health effects over two decades before they were reported in public findings. The industry’s attempt to suppress or protect their harmful products was executed through strategies akin to those used by the tobacco industry, as the paper illustrates.
This study serves as a timeline of the industry’s knowledge versus the public’s, and hopefully, according to Woodruff, it will assist in shaping legal and legislative actions to regulate PFAS production, underscoring the critical failures of current U.S. chemical regulation.
Table of Contents
What is the main finding of the research conducted by UC San Francisco?
The research reveals that the chemical industry, specifically DuPont and 3M, had prior knowledge of the health risks associated with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), but they suppressed this information, similar to tactics used by the tobacco industry.
What are PFAS, and why are they referred to as “Forever Chemicals”?
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that include PFOA, PFOS, and many other substances. They are termed “forever chemicals” because they persist in the environment without breaking down.
Where are PFAS commonly used?
PFAS are widely used in a range of consumer products like clothing, household goods, and food packaging due to their water- and oil-repellent properties.
How was the information about the cover-up discovered?
The information about the cover-up was discovered through previously confidential industry documents from DuPont and 3M. These documents were found during a lawsuit against DuPont for PFAS contamination and were analyzed by UCSF researchers.
What impact could this research have on policy and regulation?
The research could inform policy and lead towards a more precautionary approach to chemical regulation, highlighting the need for transparency and stringent regulations on the production and use of potentially hazardous chemicals like PFAS.
Related links:
- EPA information on PFAS
- CDC information on PFAS
- New York Times article on PFAS lawsuit
- The Guardian report on “forever chemicals”
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences on PFAS
5 comments
wow thats crazy.. the cover ups these compaines do just to make a buck, really makes u think!
How can we trust these companies when they hide stuff like this… its time for regulations and reforms.
i had no idea this was happening…these forever chemicals are everywhere! Dupont and 3m need to be held accountable
Read Dark Waters, same story. Ppl’s health are at stake, this aint a game! need stricter laws for these chemical giants, asap!
This is so frustratin! PFAS are poisonin us and the planet. More ppl need to know bout this, spread the word peeps!