Dark waters: the scandal of how the industry hid the risks of Teflon

The movie dark waters (Dark Waters2019) passed through Spanish cinemas a few months ago without making any noise, although it picks up a real case of environmental and health crisisis fully topical and is a clear example of how they can contaminate us if the authorities do not comply with their duty of protection, the industry deceives and the precautionary principle is not practiced.

Directed by Todd Haynes and played by actors like Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins and Anne Hathaway, the film could be of must-view for anyone interested in healthy eatingin kitchen materials, in general health and in the world around you.

The true story of an everyday poison and its impact on our health and the environment

dark watersyes, based on true events and very recent, addresses a wide variety of topics. From toxic spills and the danger of some chemical products to the data hiding by some manufacturers and its desire for profit above people and nature, going through the negligence – or corruption – of the Environmental Protection Agencyveterinarians and some scientists.

The film also reminds us of the fragility of the natural environment and of the flora and fauna, and, especially, the consequences on human health of these toxic substances, from those produced during pregnancy to those from continued exposure to environmental toxins.

This is not an epic film with the classic story of a lawyer with a conscience who battles against a large corporation without scruples, but it is much more.

In history we know humble farmers that they clearly realize that something is poisoning their cattle and their family, even though they all deny it. we know one civil society and workers who do not want to choose between work or health when it is the polluting company itself that maintains the survival of the communities (the case of Parkersburg, in West Virginia, USA).

We also see law firms having a crisis of faith about the true meaning of their work, and the hard work over nearly two decades by attorney Robert Bilott.

The plot shows very clearly the day to day, thankless and meticulous, behind these feats: necessary thoroughness, putting truth and justice before one’s own personal benefit, the human and family wear and tear that they cause and the infinite perseverance that they can imply.

What is behind some of our pans?

Although they were presented to us as the panacea for the kitchen and the solution for non-stick tortillas, the irruption of Teflon non-stick pans in the 70s it was a milestone that hid an obscure ingredient. It was a new waterproofing substance that had been used in war tanks and some companies, including DuPont, decided to introduce it into homes.

He perfluorooctanoic acidalso know as PFOA or C8 and absolute protagonist of this film, is a chemical product that entered the US food chain without being tested and without even appearing on the list of potential contaminants, because that list had to be provided by the industry itself.

dark waters and the judgment and investigations on which it is based demonstrate the lethal consequences of PFOA inhaled, drunk or consumed.

“At DuPont they knew everything,” it is said on the tape, recalling the words of lawyer Robert Bilott. “They knew that the C8 that they spent decades expelling into the open air and putting underground caused cancer. They knew that their own workers were getting cancers. They knew that consumers were also exposed and not just from Teflon. Through paints, through fabrics, for raincoats, boots…”

The largest epidemiological study in history

Thanks to the work of Robert Bilott and his attempt to respond and solve the dead animals, the black teeth in the population, the very high rates of deaths from cancers and malformations in babies, the largest epidemiological study in history was carried out. in the USA by a independent scientific committee in which 69,000 blood samples were analyzed.

His results were irrefutable and linked PFOA to more than 6 diseasesincluding various types of cancers.

And, although DuPont tried to get away by breaking the previous agreement and wanting to wear down and discourage the more than three thousand patients and the lawyer, finally the scientific evidence prevailed and he had to sign a million-dollar compensation. And this has happened just a few years ago!

Social moral and where do I cook my tortilla?

The film and the painful fact itself with so many cut short human lives, chronic disease and environmental tragedy behind, gives for a long reflection on all the actors involved, from veterinarians to public bodies.

It also notes the need to strictly regulate the use of synthetic components on the part of the industry, to apply the principle of prudence, to assess the minimum doses when the exposure is continuous and to bet on a life as free of toxins as possible.

There is life beyond Teflon: pans without PFOA

Currently there are already PFOA-free non-stick pans, but we also have pans made of titanium, glass, steel, iron or ceramic. Each one has some pros and cons in its use and comfort, but if we choose them prioritizing quality and 3 requirements (certified without heavy metals, without nanotechnology and without PFOA), we can cook without risk.

We are increasingly realizing the need for claim a more natural lifestyle taking care of the food we eat, the kitchen materials, the cosmetics we use, the clothes we wear and the environment in which we move.

For a future of clear and transparent waters

We hope that the film dark watersthe epidemiological study of PFOA, the “fine” to DuPont and the public ridicule for making known for decades the toxicity of its compound and having not only hidden it but also dumped and used it with impunity, serve today’s society and the next generations of example of what should never happen again.