The Toxic Legacy of 3M's 'Forever Chemicals'

The fight over a tunnel project in Antwerp has revealed extraordinary levels of toxins in the water, soil, and people near 3M’s factory. While the company said this week that it will cease using or making so-called forever chemicals a few years from now, for people living near the plant, the damage has already been done. And for regulators in Europe, the battle may be just beginning.
In this episode of Bloomberg Storylines, we meet Wendy D’Hollander, who lives across the highway from the Antwerp plant. She said her entire family has high levels of 3M chemicals in their bloodstreams, and that the American company has yet to begin a promised cleanup near their home.
#3M #Antwerp #Bloomberg
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[@PS3PCDJ]

Executives (CEO, CFO, CTO, ...) and board members should be held directly accountable for such crimes.

[@dainiusk.9119]

And their families.

[@TheOfficialTVG]

And all employees

[@AntoineWilliams7118]

Yes, but they only stay with the company for two years and then they moved to the next one. That since they’re not responsible, all they care about is quarterly earnings doesn’t matter what happens to the people and then they move onto the next paycheck.

[@SomeGuyII7]

The law needs to stop classifying companies as people and hold the REAL PEOPLE accountable for harmful decisions

[@DavidBaronStevensPersonal]

When individual workers within the companies are imprisoned and corporate charters are revoked, maybe we will see a change.

[@tsg2009]

they own the law

[@tsg2009]

@@Capeau isn't that the same thing

[@tsg2009]

@@Capeau your all over the shop mate give it a rest

[@human_isomer]

That's how they do it in Germany, and it's not working. The companies simply use scape goats, e.g. blame it on somebody in the company who can't defend himself, or exchange a few managers and pretend they acted without consent. And even if all the money of those people gets seized, it will never be enough to fix the issues. That's why the _companies_ need to be held reliable for their actions as whole companies and with all their assets. But it needs a company accountability law for that - at least EU wide, but even better UN wide (since global laws will not be established within several lifetimes from now).

[@johnready630]

It's not just 3M , it's a world wide problem involving 1000's of other companies that pollute as well.

[@drkevinsmithFRCPath]

@@Tekagi It was DuPont who started using PFAS mainly after discovering Teflon that was used for non stick frying pans and as a water proof material not 3M. DuPont was the trendsetter and 3M copied them.

[@edthoreum7625]

Our only hope is antiNatalism,,

[@cyb_structure]

🎯

[@Praise___YaH]

Guys, YaH The Heavenly FATHER (Genesis 1) HIMSELF was Who they Crucified/Pierced for our sins and “HERE IS THE PROOF” From the Ancient Semitic: "Yad He Vav He" is what Moshe (Moses) wrote, when Moses asked YaH His Name (Exodus 3) Ancient Semitic Direct Translation Yad - "Behold The Hand" He - "Behold the Breath" Vav - "Behold The NAIL"

[@jorgelouis709]

Du Pont 3M --> Consumer-> Environment. Living in plastic payed with plastic. The Windmills for the climate hoax contain lots of PFAS

[@justayoutuber1906]

DuPont was a huge polluter in the US with PFAS to make Teflon. The pollution has been shown to now be in the bodies of every person in the world. DuPont "escaped" criminal liability by selling the pollution liabilities to Chemours.

[@khanch.6807]

That's capitalism.

[@Monkechnology]

@@khanch.6807 No. That's corruption and it happens in every system. And before you start with the "we need socialism cuz capitalism bad for environment" thing, search about Karachay Lake and Aral Sea.

[@khanch.6807]

@@Monkechnology The main purpose of capitalism is to make as much money in the shortest amount of time. These plastic companies did exactly that. If people are harmed by their products it's the customer's fault not doing their deu diligence. Also you already have socialism in the form of taxes. US spends most of its taxes in subsidising the means of production be it energy, food, infrastructure and military. America and China have the most extreme form of capitalism where individual profit triumphs over human lives.

[@radry100]

It's in the bodies of everyone because almost everyone uses teflon products. It's not because of "pollution".

[@khanch.6807]

@@radry100 It is pollution. They polluted our bodies even.

[@markgoudsblom]

it's mind boggling that 3m is still operating today. we truly live in a world where accountabilty is just not a thing.

[@TeddyGun300]

As someone working in the water industry I can say that they (3M) invest heavily in pfas removal within their wastewater. Way to late and likely not as clean as possible but at least something is being done.

[@chuckkottke]

3M is as big as GM or even bigger, the "too big to fail" axiom may apply to 3M. Having a government that works for us and regulations with teeth helps, corporate accountability for the CEO's, CFO's, and primary shareholders in both the civil and criminal sense should be the order of the day. They knew about the risks in the 1970's, but plan to phase out PFAS in 2025, and finagled a way of just piling up the contaminated soil on site in Belgium instead of decontamination....

[@bstevermer9293]

I’ve worked in 3M plants that make 1million bucks of product a day. Drop in the bucket.

[@gonkong5638]

@Seeyou Seemee Yeah 3M and Bayer is too big to fall. Chemical company really are silent killer.

[@johnbeton4058]

And Dupont and probably many more.

[@martinebon4333]

These companies paying 500 million in fees is a drop in the bucket compared to the billions of profits they get yearly. The long term effects of these chemicals are in humanity for hundreds of years since they do not biodegrade.

[@chuckkottke]

Ironically even in the company's owners and their children, albeit to a lesser extent. King Midas's curse will visit them all. 👑 🍎

[@CaLI0w]

I worked in a factory for a year building wind turbine blades. We had to use 3m dry adhesive spray. It’s banned in 8 countries but we still used it. I got out of there as soon as I could, that stuff shaves years off your life. The dermatologist I spoke to after I worked there told me that working for vestas literally shaves years off your life. She called the red spray death in a can!

[@herrensaar1989]

Thankfully, even Vestas has banned all use of the substance. Same goes for Siemens. So hopefully the're out of the wind turbine business by now.

[@chris2790]

"Green" tech is dirty. Very dirty.

[@dustinalexander1829]

Ahh yes the new "green tech" glad you got out. Keep an eye on your hormone levels and your thyroid.

[@herrensaar1989]

@@dustinalexander1829 Has nothing to do with green tech. The same stuff was used for decades in prefab drywall another building contruction materials.

[@PG-3462]

@@chris2790 Still not as bad as the fossil fuel industry.

[@JoelReid]

Until the fees for negligence are higher than profits, companies might pay attention.

[@Gordonz1]

Have you added prosecution env and HR atrocities acts of ecocide to the crimes being committed by the organized crime, corp leaders and politicians causing extensive, negligent , long term damage to the env, to our life support systems ? Ref Stop Ecocide International lead campaign to have env atrocities acts of ecocide prosecuted under the mandate of the Int Criminal Court. France has added ecocide to it penal code and has begun the EU's first ecocide investigation. Belgium has committed to add ecocide to it criminal code. Mean while the gov of Canada has denied in response to an ecocide law petition that ecocide is being committed. In response to the destabilization /damage greenhouse gases are causing to our planet's atmosphere, species, oceans and terrestrial ecosystem Canada has dramatically increase these damaging emissions. There is a reward for fraudulent assessment , willful blindness, criminal negligence in response to climate change , the extensive damage to our life support systems LSS. Gordon Chamberlain Ecocide Law advocate since 2009

[@alexanderphilip1809]

You mean penalties. Penalties for negligence. Fees makes it sound like you can pay them and be done with it, without changing the behavior, The latter being more important for he end result than imposing penalities to the point of bankruptcy.

[@JoelReid]

@@alexanderphilip1809 pedantics. likely corporations will petition for a term that does not have negative connotations so it doesn't look as bad on their reports. So i dont think it matters. As long as they take it seriously.

[@JoelReid]

@@alexanderphilip1809 to me a "penalty" is from sports. Perhaps a cultural thing.

[@Jonathan-ex3sl]

They’ll move to a country without fees or penalties and those people will suffer instead. I don’t disagree with you. There should be significant consequences, but idk if it will solve the issue.

[@LargeMcBottoms]

If companies and businesses are people, then these companies should be shuttered and all those at the head of decision making should be jailed and stripped of all their wealth.

[@BikeIsLife4EverGG]

MONEY SPEAKS LOUDER

[@tsubadaikhan6332]

Unfortunately, the High Explosive we are using in Ukraine against Russian Tanks is also highly Toxic to produce. But it's only made in Tennessee, and they're all Hillbillies with Cancer anyway, so nothing to worry about there...

[@justayoutuber1906]

Nice theory. How does that play in states where they are the biggest employers? Think it through

[@Gordonz1]

Have you added prosecution env and HR atrocities acts of ecocide to the crimes being committed by the organized crime, corp leaders and politicians causing extensive, negligent , long term damage to the env, to our life support systems ? Ref Stop Ecocide International lead campaign to have env atrocities acts of ecocide prosecuted under the mandate of the Int Criminal Court. France has added ecocide to it penal code and has begun the EU's first ecocide investigation. Belgium has committed to add ecocide to it criminal code. Mean while the gov of Canada has denied in response to an ecocide law petition that ecocide is being committed. In response to the destabilization /damage greenhouse gases are causing to our planet's atmosphere, species, oceans and terrestrial ecosystem Canada has dramatically increase these damaging emissions. There is a reward for fraudulent assessment , willful blindness, criminal negligence in response to climate change , the extensive damage to our life support systems LSS. Gordon Chamberlain Ecocide Law advocate since 2009

[@MrCTruck]

@@justayoutuber1906 that’s the problem, they don’t think, it’s just shouting about who needs to stop doing what without a viable alternative.

[@MrGlitch888]

I don't know much but Penalizing 3M is not the only path needed to remediate the issue, people also need to stop buying from them. The later will have much more impact.

[@SquawkingSnail]

We need transparency and regulation combined with maximum scrutiny to be able to take personal action as individuals. The trouble is that these companies when a product is found to be dangerous simply change to another product which hasn't been studied.

[@Slugbunny]

Our generations' lead, our asbestos. Thanks a lot.

[@VestigialHead]

Huh? You do realise that every generation will have a toxic chemical. It is just the nature of advancement. We do not know the effects of new chemicals for generations. If they seem safe in the short term they will be used if they have desirable traits. This is just the cost of innovation and technology. If you do not want it then too bad. Because even if you return to pre industrial times you still have them - mercury etc.

[@JamesRichardWiley]

Chemical companies cannot admit wrongdoing without going out of business.

[@dmandipper9102]

No matter where you are in the world you are no more than 10FT from a 3M product.

[@luigi55125]

I remember a video about a North Korean "car dealership" had shown that a van had 3M reflective tape on it.

[@SonnyDarvishzadeh]

My relatives grew up in Germany and moved to Switzerland. They tell me that their living standards is much higher now. The Swiss government checks the soil for contamination a lot more sensitive comparing to Germany. Now I think 3M built a company in Belgium because that country doesn't have strict laws. Smaller countries are puppets to giant companies like 3M. It actually wouldn't surprise me at all if their transactions go through Luxembourg.

[@lozoft9]

Ironically, Switzerland is a major venue for tax evasion.

[@user-di9ep1bc4g]

Why Luxembourg?

[@patrickaussieMilartry]

Why hasn't this been made aware on main media?? I'll never purchase 3M products again EVER!!!!!

[@Dadniel1st]

Thank you for your work.

[@SonnyDarvishzadeh]

"by the end of 2025" oh let's be kind to them and give them time so they can safely adjust their orders and inventories. 2 more years of cancer producing chemicals.. that's just unbelievable!

[@melliwmw6667]

Al the pfas from Belgium comes into Dutch rivers and the Belgium government isn’t doing much about it

[@GANDROID100]

Dutch nitrogen pollution comes to Belgian airstreams and the Dutch government isn't doing much about it

[@tilesetter1953]

😢 The management of 3M are criminals!

[@ValenceFlux]

They used to tell those of us in an electrical apprenticeship to just wrap your cuts with 3m phase tape and just keep working. OSHA sure never said anything to us during my time doing those jobs. I will never forget trying to take a math exam with inflamed hands. I suspected many things in that industry related to health problems. This is just another.

[@njipods]

I still do the same lol. Dose the tape have pfas? Only a portion of that 3M makes contain them

[@ValenceFlux]

@@njipods Hahaha some days it seemed fine until one day my hands were twice the size and I wasn't going to miss work or school. Can't say I know for sure. Your fine until your not and then you wonder.

[@Jonathan-ex3sl]

Even if it’s not pfas it could be something else. I think pfas mostly harmful chronically so it might be something more irritating to the skin than pfas

[@Jonathan-ex3sl]

Even if it’s not pfas it could be something else. I think pfas mostly harmful chronically so it might be something more irritating to the skin than pfas

[@ValenceFlux]

@@Jonathan-ex3sl polychlorinated biphenyls and silica dust from ceiling work was hard to wash off the skin. Some electricians call it old work. Most PCB hazards have been removed but it wasn't until after I did that work as an apprentice that I learned about PCB hazards. I've seen yellow plumes of dust out of light fixtures that hadn't been opened in years. A passerby said we did the city a favor. Hard not to talk about it when these topics come up. I clearly do not do that kind of work anymore. Too hazardous verifying what has or hasn't been completed.

[@davidruiz8689]

I wonder how much longer are we going to allow these ceos to get away with this without any justice

[@chuckkottke]

As long as we allow them to buy our Senators...

[@XxTechnoKaPPaxX]

you could always be the change you want to see.

[@redroyce4590]

So in short they can keep producing and basically didn't lose anything or get any real punishment. Just shows me YET AGAIN, that if you are big enough as a "company" you can do whatever you want.

[@thomastallis7245]

In the UK, the British Government don't do anything to test the water in England for PFAS, and they don't seem to be that bothered about aligning with the EU on it either. However, in Scotland our government have now just passed an Act of Parliament (EU Continuity Act 2020) which details this very provision about to start on January 1st 2023, in alignment with the EU, irrespective of the UK leaving the EU.

[@gonkong5638]

Way to go Scotland. Keep going.

[@duglasspolding1380]

Thank you, this topic must become major nowadays

[@PaulYoungMinnesota]

I counter cholestorol with walnuts and cancer by cutting out sugar and eating blueberries, and boost immune system with D3....what were the other things it causes that needs to be countered somehow?

[@williamsalex0991]

Great explanation of the huge problems with PFAS and other chemicals, I feel bad for the family, we should be doing so much more! It doesn't explain though that we need some of these to fight cancer and move to a more sustainable economy. I agree that these chemicals are bad but there doesn't seem to be much debate around this....

[@bpg786]

A company is NEVER going to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to change the way they produce a successful product if there is nothing wrong with their current production methods. How exactly could the board and CEO, etc justify their existence if they approved that kind of spending for no reason or benefit. It should be pretty obvious that any company that says this is lying.

[@flyby2300]

Thank you greatly for this research & that you are raising the awareness required of this subject of chemical-pollution. {Like Du Pont & Koch-industries, 3M has been polluting environment & people since already before the 1950/s in almost absolute impunity. Exploitation- & predator-capitalism must be ended & replaced with a fair - & absolutely-responsible circular-market-economy.}

[@rRobertSmith]

Not hundred times over the limit, but a MILLION times over the limit set by the Dutch environmental protection agency, when your blood can be classified as industrial WASTE WATER. The fines and penalties should be at least 100 times greater than normal. Future pending huge loss of revenue of 3M stock due to class action lawsuits, PUTS ON 3M.

[@jasonator221]

im very curious as to what that woman's health is

[@ErikaLS1776]

Cottage Grove, Minnesota in the USA empathizes with you. My mom and thousands of others in our community have suffered due to the 3M plant in our town. I am almost graduated as an environmental engineer and my goal is to reverse these effects to the best of my ability. These are the issues many government officials and “environmentalists” don’t talk about because of special interests.

[@dhh488]

Jobs. Local politicians don't want to lose jobs.

[@toddtheisen8386]

Work at a 50 year plant for 3M here in the Midwest. Just imagine the result, if you can, compared to the 26 years they ran PFAs in Belgium to the soil and nearby riverway.

[@MusicIsLegal]

No one should work for a company that knowingly does these kind of things. Only the devil would.

[@toddtheisen8386]

@@MusicIsLegal People shouldn't buy the products but they do. Including yourself. 3M allows our modern way of life to exist.

[@dingbop963]

@@MusicIsLegal Don't be talking bad about my boi Satan.

[@chuckkottke]

Sounds like a superfund site. Does the company have a plan to decontaminate the site and help the exposed workers and area residents detox their bodies?

[@gonkong5638]

@@dingbop963 Yeah I bet most those work for 3M are either christian or muslim.

[@Custodian123]

This is why people don't trust companies or governments.

[@stuartd9741]

Yet everyone got the jab....

[@user-bp8yg3ko1r]

I wish they stopped their forever chemicals production immediately...

[@fredericoamigo]

Thank you for exposing this horrible environmental crime. Outstanding journalism.

[@Gordonz1]

Have you added prosecution env and HR atrocities acts of ecocide to the crimes being committed by the organized crime, corp leaders and politicians causing extensive, negligent , long term damage to the env, to our life support systems ? Ref Stop Ecocide International lead campaign to have env atrocities acts of ecocide prosecuted under the mandate of the Int Criminal Court. France has added ecocide to it penal code and has begun the EU's first ecocide investigation. Belgium has committed to add ecocide to it criminal code. Mean while the gov of Canada has denied in response to an ecocide law petition that ecocide is being committed. In response to the destabilization /damage greenhouse gases are causing to our planet's atmosphere, species, oceans and terrestrial ecosystem Canada has dramatically increase these damaging emissions. There is a reward for fraudulent assessment , willful blindness, criminal negligence in response to climate change , the extensive damage to our life support systems LSS. Gordon Chamberlain Ecocide Law advocate since 2009

[@pawluha2008]

Big thanks for Bloomberg and all activities ho help find this disaster around the globe

[@grandad40]

the year with 257000 particls must have been when they ran the plant without the chimney stack filters fitted or replaced them often as they should do.

[@holy.mackinawww]

If you work for 3M or companies alike and got tested for high levels of PFAs in your bloodstream, what would you do?

[@tvtothepoint]

Nothing since 3M, BASF and others have had comprehensive NDA and arbitration agreements that all employees have to sign prior to hiring them. The only recourse is through government, via the Justice department or by a massive effort from nonprofit legal agencies since it is far too expensive taking huge petrochemical corporations to court - unless you are the very first person to do so., and we all know that government won't be getting involved in this without a congressional order, and that's about as likely as hitting the lottery jackpot without buying a ticket.

[@justayoutuber1906]

PFAS are in every living person on Earth now

[@stuartd9741]

Institute for justice

[@radry100]

Nothing, since you will die from natural causes before this has any effect.

[@rheeryder2524]

@@stuartd9741 Environmental Working Group.

[@izzypacker]

Sad to see how these billion dollar companies who had educated scientists created such terrible chemicals and didn't stop to think they would have huge environmental implications. Profit over people and nature . These companies should be dismantled and canceled .

[@JugglinJellyTake01]

They replaced C8 with C6 it still has the same effects, their scientists know exactly what they are doing.

[@finalfan321]

i live 5 km from this place. this story is huge in Belgium. american companies think they can just destroy european lives without consequences like in the US

[@kennethadler7380]

Dat zijn chemische industrieel bedrijven in het algemeen Bloomberg heeft ook gerapporteerd dat solvay een Belgische bedrijf het zelfde doet in Italië

[@unarmedduck]

Very disingenuous of you to paint this issue as solely down to American Firms whilst European multinationals like Clariant face PFAS contamination lawsuits.

[@jaridkeen123]

Welcome to Capitalism, Americans evil gift to Humanity

[@wilowest3509]

You guys need to worm the soil as l once did to a similar sized area . Worms double there numbers every month and clean the soil .

[@kennethadler7380]

@@jaridkeen123 1 capitalism is not a American invention 2 communist countries like the former Soviet Union have a even worst record on the environment 3 the problem is the chemical process not that the process has done by a government company or a private company

[@erichughes284]

My team is working on a way to breakdown past that most affect the environment .But we have a long way to go.

[@MK-651]

Oh sweet I live 5 minutes from the 3m in Minnesota

[@WhoisBANE]

they need to give the people around their facility's 3x amount of money to relocate and buy a house

[@metalextras]

GORE-TEX and every plastic waterproofing fabrics

[@michaeld4861]

Until we hold executives responsible for their crimes nothing will change. If corporations are people then they should face prison time like any other person would. But no, we only prosecute petty crimes not white collar crimes.

[@Gordonz1]

Have you added prosecution env and HR atrocities acts of ecocide to the crimes being committed by the organized crime, corp leaders and politicians causing extensive, negligent , long term damage to the env, to our life support systems ? Ref Stop Ecocide International lead campaign to have env atrocities acts of ecocide prosecuted under the mandate of the Int Criminal Court. France has added ecocide to it penal code and has begun the EU's first ecocide investigation. Belgium has committed to add ecocide to it criminal code. Mean while the gov of Canada has denied in response to an ecocide law petition that ecocide is being committed. In response to the destabilization /damage greenhouse gases are causing to our planet's atmosphere, species, oceans and terrestrial ecosystem Canada has dramatically increase these damaging emissions. There is a reward for fraudulent assessment , willful blindness, criminal negligence in response to climate change , the extensive damage to our life support systems LSS. Gordon Chamberlain Ecocide Law advocate since 2009

[@kinngrimm]

not just the company leaders but also the owners. It is no wonder that since the responsibility for actions has been splitt from ownership that oversite out of selfinterest has become a farce.

[@rheeryder2524]

Hold the corporations accountable? The corps couldn't get away with it if the government didn't allow it. Starts at the top.

[@chuckkottke]

So the equation works thusly: Pay politicians + cover all bases. = Successful deregulation + lower taxes = more profits + more influence = pay politicians + cover all bases... The cycle must be broken.

[@MrDirtyRedcoat]

The movie Dark Waters does a great job exposing this.

[@vincentlee7937]

In a big conglomerate like this somewhere in the chain one of the employee should have realized they were harming people nearby and the executives must have said : yes but the alternative will be making less profit

[@jaysmith3361]

"Hey Dad, why do corporations poison people?."

[@PG-3462]

Because people consume stuff without thinking about how it was produced and where it comes from. As an example, we can think about the thousands of chemicals people throw in their toilet to clean them, chemicals that all end up in rivers no matter if it goes through a modern cleaning process or not. We can also think about all the plastic stuff people throw away in their toilet without realizing that when it rains a lot, parts of the grey water goes directly into rivers. This is just one example of bad behaviors almost everyone has.

[@nazia8379]

After watching this vid, I am sure that we will keep the earth living forever, and I am also sure that this vid has restored My faith in humanity. 🙄

[@1shoedog1]

How are their sales and stock prices doing?

[@whozonfirst9705]

Earth is the greatest campground in existence ❤. Let's leave it better than we found it😊

[@nigelmack8238]

Not toxic. Drill a drinking well on the plants land and feed it into the employees plumbing and drinking water

[@eleazarabrego4596]

Every company basically. Instead of gettimg rid of any of them unless its super detrimental to the environment. We need all the products and infrastructure still, we need to work with all companies on how to fix this and move forward sustainably.

[@ethanboyd7843]

Ppl say move and she's like 'Ahhh they're over it'

[@jackchen1741]

To Chinese Little pink: Zigong (502.9 ng/L), Lianyungang (332.6 ng/L), Changshu (122.4 ng/L), Chengdu (119.4 ng/L), Wuxi (93.6 ng/L) and Hangzhou (74.1 ng/L) were the cities with the highest total concentrations of 18 PFASs in drinking water.

[@user-xt6pb1mq7s]

There is no question that Europe is handling environmental challenges considerably better than China. China is making every effort to solve environmental issues. The information you highlighted was gathered by Tsinghua University academics and published in Environmental Sciences Europe in 2021. Beginning in 2014, it is a component of the drinking water protection plan. Nobody wants to keep the issue a secret. The poisons problem cannot be solved quickly, as was the case with 3M. The US's PFAS final rule is scheduled to go effective by the end of 2023. Since environmental issues are global in scope, it is preferable to address them independently of political considerations.

[@au2au2]

wow!.. and the current EPA health advisories for reference (1 ppt= 1ng/L) Interim updated health advisory for PFOA = 0.004 ppt Interim updated health advisory for PFOS = 0.02 ppt Final health advisory for GenX chemicals = 10 ppt Final health advisory for PFBS = 2,000 ppt

[@dibrentley7915]

pity they didnt list the locations of every 3M factory.

[@LiborTinka]

Wonder what kind of chemical is the popular Fluoxetine (Prozac), the 25th most commonly prescribed medication in the US? Yes it's also a fluorinated compoud. These CAN be disposed and slowly decompose in the atmosphere (UV light, ozone) but it requires harsh conditions to decompose as the halogen-carbon bond is very strong. Incinerators should run at temperatures above 2 000C to decompose these, for example, not mentioning scrubbing the released halogens.

[@incognitotorpedo42]

Having a single fluorine in a compound is different. It doesn't persist in the body, nor does it have the same health effects as the highly fluorinated long chain compounds that PFAS encompasses.

[@jasonator221]

nothing wrong with some cheeky fluorine mate

[@jacob7270]

That has a single trifluoromethyl group, it's totally different than a 100% flourinated hydrocarbon. Scrubbing releasing halogen radicals (on your non-stick pans) at high temps is actually just PFAs from 3M/DuPont. It's used as non-stick coating as well as for anti-caking agents in the production of those materials so that's just redundant.

[@jkaiser815]

Couldn’t be that tire you’re growing corn in..

[@rRobertSmith]

Don't worry about the dirty dishes when the house is on fire. also...empathy much?

[@tuftsjon]

Haaa

[@diannadima7082]

i live in a Senior complex in a mountain town in AZ. Almost everyone who has passed on and some still living has died of Cancer. We are on a piece of land that belonged to a Sawmill. I know our water is contaminated. We are infected in our community. Perfectly healthy people have passed on from unusual circumstances. i cannot get any information.

[@brownwolf152]

To the people seeing this video, there was one employee that dumped three buckets of waste water into the ground, he was immediately fired. There's no more danger to the communities as we take safety as our priority.

[@Rob-sf4xy]

Thats horrible. These factories should be regulated to only exist in isolated areas if its only dangerous on manufacturing and should be inspected on chemicals leakeage

[@justayoutuber1906]

Businesses have the money to lobby politicians. We don't

[@JWooden271]

Often factories and other industrial facilities are built in isolated areas, but over decades the need for affordable housing gradually brings residential developments to the factory gates.

[@samsmusichub]

They can't keep getting away with this!

[@ninjafit3275]

I work in auto body collision repair and we use 80% 3m products from tape , paper , the plastic to wrap the vehicles , sand paper, to dust make we breath all day in

[@incognitotorpedo42]

3M auto body repair products do not contain PFAS.

[@rheeryder2524]

Your job is not worth it. At all.

[@patrickaussieMilartry]

It's sad with out whistle blowers and most importantly journalism it would be a world twice as Dark. Thankyou to the brave men and women for telling us the people the FACTS. What is wrong with Human Beings??? Sadly the only way this PRECIOUS PLANET CAN SURVIVE SEEMS TO BE WITHOUT HUMANBIENG????

[@kinngrimm]

Usualy i am a pacifist and against the death sentence, but these types of things just like back in the day with the DDT and other contaminations over the decades brought upon us, make me struggle with that position. Then i want someone to bleed to either have let it happen, not carrying, willfully ignoring or being payed off to look the other way. Shut such companies down and take every dime *also* from its shareholders. Splitting of the responsibility of ownership from companies while enabling to scimming of the fruits had been a mistake in our handling of the concept of companies, especially where it comes to share holding. It maybe equally convenient like these foreever chemicals, but similarly the longterm consequences of not having to be involved and putting your neck on the line leads exactly to these situations in my opinion.

[@dragonfox2.058]

tip of the iceberg

[@shadow.banned]

In the past, there was a solution to this. But nowadays? We're not even allowed to talk about it.

[@jackjack4168]

Money talks only :)

[@FinancialShinanigan]

Long-term sacrifice for short-term profits, what else is new

[@beatpirate8]

is it in water or air?

[@johnnywadd7960]

3M settled class action lawsuits in the USA

[@chakaranwithahmed1864]

It is not just the companies, we as an individuals are also responsible for consuming such products. There is lack of awareness at the consumer side(me as an example, I didn't know that). However, I will not buy a rain jacket(as an example). We are Humans are we can survive without the lavish lives we are having today.

[@laszlomesz2447]

As long as hunger for profit drives the economy... As long as we elect politicians like those in our parliaments... You will find something like this everywhere.

[@PG-3462]

And as long as we don't want to change our lifestyle. The problem goes both sides.

[@MrJoegotbored]

Well. That was depressing. Maybe by 2025 they really will stop making this class of chemicals. Probably not, but maybe? I wonder how bad the replacements will be.

[@josephsalomone]

More depressing is that 3M knew how bad PFAs were in a 1960s study, and how much they bioaccumulate as well. Because the only way they could get a control "group" for the study was to get blood taken from soldiers in the Korean War, before PFAs were created. PFAs were a relatively new chemical in the 1960s and 3M did a study where one of the main takeaways was that even the most remote village in Africa and Asia, 1000s of miles away, still had PFAs in their blood, less than a decade after the chemical was first created. So when they say that they PFAs contamination does not cause any know health effects, that isn't a lie. There can be no study analyzing the health effects of PFAs because everyone not only has some, but a lot of PFAs in their blood. Even in remote villages. And 3M leaked internal reports from the 1960s stated this, and even stated, that under no circumstances should this chemical still continue to be produced. And what did they do?

[@carlosc3260]

They can't truly be replaced. Unless you stop manufacturing the plastic products that need them, they'll be here. Those chemicals provide fundamental properties to the fibers, polymers, etc

[@-cheshire-cat]

They just give dates in the future hoping people will forget by then. Just like Coca Cola does. They can make all the promises they want (Just like politicians do during elections), but they don't actually have to follow through with any of them.

[@capmarketer5038]

as someone from Minnesota I am ashamed

[@PaulYoungMinnesota]

moi aussi

[@samsonchan1488]

Frightening. And sad.

[@username42]

why they dont also sue the gov or the manucipilty for providing the not safe tap water since is not that their job to supply the clean water to homes even though it is polluted by chem factories?

[@ryanrodriguez1234]

Ever heard of Dupont? Its sad that all we care about is profits whatever the cost.

[@jocosson8892]

Take to company into Public ownership and make it use the profits to clean up.

[@AlexTheRealtor]

So you want to make a usa based corporation nationalized in Europe ? If so are you ready to be invaded to protect usa interests

[@jocosson8892]

@@AlexTheRealtor The USA isn't going to invade the EU.

[@AlexTheRealtor]

@@jocosson8892 nor will a usa based company be nationalized by the eu

[@jocosson8892]

@@AlexTheRealtor Why not; or just BANNED, and why are you defending a MONOPOLY?

[@AlexTheRealtor]

@@jocosson8892 I use 3m products and have a own shares of said company

[@choopa1670]

no amount of convenience is worth this

[@oneone8318]

Interesting. However some more numbers would have been nice. I like numbers more than "high levels" or "very high levels" cause what do those even mean?

[@leonsegade-garcia2936]

I think there were quite a lot of numbers in the section where the whisteblower was talking about groundwater levels, and the discussion about blood levels. They said groundwater had 1000x the normal amount and blood readings found some people with levels as high as industrial waste water.

[@oneone8318]

@@leonsegade-garcia2936 yeah but no pfas bloodlevels were told for example. And comparing apples to oranges is not really a number either. Nor is a "1000 Times as much". I like real numbers more. Cause for example 1000x0 is still a 0. Usually people try to hide stuff when they speak like this, hiding the actual numbers and making comparisons. Cause you know industrial waste water might just have The same amount of pfas as drinking water. So again they leave it hidden and under anyones conclusion.

[@leonsegade-garcia2936]

@@oneone8318 dude if you're really that suspicious and believe that bloomberg (which is a right-center publication) is manufacturing misinformation against these companies, simply look at the Dupont PFAS pollution scandal from the 1980s and you will see that exactly the same thing happened back then.

[@oneone8318]

@@leonsegade-garcia2936 I´m not saying anyone is manufacturing anything. I just think the reporting was lacking actual numbers and data. It might be that this is the way their audience like their info, but i think me myself, i like actual numbers and hard data more than a very simplified version that is open to misinterpretation. I know many news outlets mislead their audiences using this kind of word plays though, and even when they sometimes add statistics those might be misleading too. I just think they could have made the video better and more clear. I don´t think this was reported in a proper manner.

[@nicoledistrict2962]

Geld ist ein Problem, das jeder für ein besseres und luxuriöses Leben hat. war schwer für mich, bis ich mit Bitcoin angefangen habe und jetzt verdiene ich 9.500 $ pro Woche 🇧🇪🇧🇪

[@pablojohn7939]

Auch hier mache ich enorme wöchentliche Gewinne von 7.470 $ mit meinen Investitionen, seit ich angefangen habe, mit Mrs. Sonia zu handeln. Ich habe bis zu 14.750 $ in 2 Wochen mit 6.000 $ durch Mrs. Sonias Strategie verdient, sie ist die Beste.

[@paulsusanne3087]

Ich habe viel aus der letzten Woche gemacht, nur eine Vision der effektiven Single hat mich von den Verkäufen überzeugt, alles dank Frau Sonia, ihre Handelsstrategien sind erstklassig

[@lugardhero6962]

Als Erstinvestor begann ich mit nur tausend Dollar mit Frau Sonia zu handeln. Jetzt ist mein Portfolio nach ein paar Trades mit ihr 16.650 $ wert.

[@leighannmorreau5630]

Ich gewinne und tausche weiter mit Mrs. Sonia. 12. Gewinn dank Frau Jane. Es ist wirklich das Beste, was ich je gemacht habe

[@silkerothstein2992]

Sie ist die Maklerin, ich habe viele Profis ausprobiert, aber nur mit der Strategie von Frau Sonia habe ich ein außergewöhnliches Einkommen erzielt, das jetzt alle 10 Tage mehr als 12.748 $ verdient.

[@ahrenadams]

Civilizations progress but at what cost?

[@theowink]

3M PFAS gate

[@q7jdwomfvkbj74]

3M in London ON

[@Moonshadowslurking]

I worked for a detailing company that uses 3m I been in the industry for more then 10 years and I was coughing stuff up and couldn’t breathe! This is bs I wish we could sue them for the bs!

[@sydyidanton5873]

Before any chemicals used for manufacturing synthetics, or indeed ANYTHING, ought to be demonstrated how it can be broken down/neutralised for safe disposal, demonstrated how it behaves when combusted and exposed to thermal extremes for leeching and off-gassing, and most importantly how it influences biological processes and homeostasis (biological balance). The same also ought to be repeated how that same proposed product/chemical reacts in the above parameters when combined with other substances. If it can not be proven safe through those parameters in conjunction with independent analysis, that product then deemed illegal internationally and prohibited from use. Irrespective of it intended purpose of location of use. It might be claimed to be prohibitively expensive to perform such standards, is it not a far greater expense to not conduct such checks, particularly with all with are learning now that manufacturers have for decades? That is if it is not already too late! This profound impact on our biology, or some pathogen, will be the extinction of the human race, and other animals also, either through eventual sterility and/or immunodeficiency. Many chemicals mimic hormones, so the body responds by balancing the apparent imbalance by producing less of the perceived 'increase' ultimately creating significant imbalances. The sensitive neurotransmitters out of balance affect mood and mental health dramatically, along with several other functions. It is a frightening storm to be entering into.

[@bernob9770]

This is crazy . . . its all about money and the bottom line!

[@infinateU]

CHAT-GPT3 can problem solve too right?

[@fischx65]

There is no doubt that there is a problem with PFASs entering the environment in an uncontrolled way. But without PFAS there would be no respirators, no fuel cells, no semiconductor industry and many other high-tech products. There are many substitutes in consumer products. In all other places, the cycles must be closed.

[@ripleyleuzarder630]

it sounds like an insulator to neural networks in the brain and other control like heart kidney etc.

[@3harath]

Atleast people watching this video, don't buy pfos related products

[@ReaperKing705]

so the fine didn't go to those affected?

[@alexanderphilip1809]

That would've been a more reasonable thing to do.

[@oneone8318]

ofc. it went to the pockets of politicians.

[@Spokenwisdom1]

Short the stock

[@TheWorldBelow360]

Capital and Convenience are Kings of the World. It’s what we get for our unabashed indulgence. And for lulling around in our daydreaming fields while practically fully asleep. Like fattening sheep.

[@YasinNabi]

Success is growing, once you stop growing you are not counted as successful person. it is just my humble opinion. By the way I enjoyed watching your videos, a fellow creator-----

[@sir_arsen]

It's horrible but i still don't get why she doesn't want to move, I get it that they were already exposed but at least let them live in more pleasant area

[@petergibbons607]

Because her family lives next door, she never really flew the coop.

[@om-nj2hw]

The only protection we have against this, is if enough people unite and force the government to act in the public best interest. Now the government acts in the company best investment

[@Elaba_]

3:34 De Belgielei waar ik 22 jaar heb gewerkt?

[@SoMuchSoy]

Reap what you sow Europe!

[@rudolf895]

At what cost Murica

[@RoseyFuture]

So are the exorbitant corporate salaries effectively hush money?

[@echospage]

finally

[@AysimEParkan]

People want to do this though. It's up to kids going to the schools to say no. The need for money won't allow it.