They Poisoned the World: Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals

Investigative journalist Blake tells the story of her investigation into the lives and workings of the people in a small town in upstate New York who had grown suspicious of the local industrial plant after there had been an inordinate amount of health problems and cancer deaths among the small population. This industrial plant employed most townspeople and made food-preserving products, including Teflon. Obtaining her information through personal interviews with the local people and through numerous public documents, Blake discovered that this plant was dumping waste into the local water supply. All the while, the chemical industry at large was aware of the deadly and long-term effects of these “forever chemicals.” The company running the plant in New York had gone to extreme lengths to cover it up, including manufacturing false research studies. Ultimately, the chemicals were banned, yet long-term health issues and environmental problems persist. Blake tells this heartbreaking and horrifying story in a manner that should motivate and outrage readers.