Bad Chemistry

Articles by Sharon Lerner on the global contamination crisis surrounding toxic industrial chemicals such as PFOA, PFOS, and GenX. The U.S. has refused to regulate the chemicals in this class, known as PFAS, despite the fact that they persist indefinitely in the environment and have been linked to cancer and many other illnesses.

Bad ChemistryHow the Plastics Industry Is Fighting to Keep Polluting the World

Sharon Lerner — 11:30 a.m.

Pushes to “recycle” plastics are one element of a massive industry-led effort to suppress meaningful efforts to reduce plastic waste.

Bad ChemistryEPA Move to Phase Out Animal Experiments Could Mean the End of Toxics Regulations

Sharon Lerner — Jul. 3

The chemical industry’s and the Trump EPA’s eagerness to phase out experimental testing on lab animals appears to be a sneak attack on chemical regulation.

Bad ChemistryTeflon Toxin Safety Level Should Be 700 Times Lower Than Current EPA Guideline

Sharon Lerner — Jun. 18

New data suggests that the safety threshold for PFOA in drinking water should be as low as .1 parts per trillion, according to a top U.S. toxicologist.

Bad Chemistry3M Knew About PFAS Food Contamination in 2001

Sharon Lerner — Jun. 12

According to a 2001 study sponsored by 3M, 12 samples of food from around the country tested positive for PFAS chemicals.

Bad ChemistryToxic PFAS Chemicals Found in Maine Farms Fertilized With Sewage Sludge

Sharon Lerner — Jun. 7

The evidence of PFAS in sludge comes just days after an FDA investigation revealed that the nonstick compounds had made their way into some foods.

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