Erin Brockovich on the impact of FOREVER CHEMICALS

This “Going Broke” segment aired on December 8, 2024, on NewsNation.

With 97% of Americans potentially affected by PFAS, according to the CDC, Brockovich emphasizes the need for public awareness. Erin Brockovich's statements reflect a deep concern about the pervasive impact of "forever chemicals," specifically PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), on both the environment and public health. Here's a breakdown of the issues she raises: Environmental and Health Impact, Economic and Social Consequences, Regulatory and Corporate Accountability, Public Awareness and Action, Broader Implications. The involvement of media outlets like News Nation in investigating and reporting on this issue is seen as critical for informing the public and possibly pushing for change in policy and corporate behavior.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:

Erin Brockovich: EPA, FDA, political leaders, where have you been? How did you miss this? That now we have an entire country, an entire country, that could potentially be in peril from this forever chemical that's destroyed your land, destroyed our farming, destroyed our water, and destroyed public health and welfare. Wow.

Young Farmer: There's so much sadness and anger.

Female Farmer #1: This has broken our hearts and crushed our spirit. And I don't know if we'll ever get that back.

NewsNation interviewer: Told their farms are shot through with chemicals linked with liver damage, damage to fertility, thyroid issues and cancer.

Female Farmer #2: All of this land has been poisoned, water contaminated. All of these people touched by this.

NewsNation interviewer: Called forever chemicals because they are nearly impossible to destroy. Prime soil, crops, milk tainted in the heartland, leaving many farmers on the brink of ruin.

Farmer #2: Suicide among dairy farmers and farmers in general is incredibly high because a lot of these farms are third, fourth, and fifth generation. You are going to be the person to lose it. Your great-great-great-grandfather cleared the land and you are going to be the person to have a bankruptcy auction because you can't hold on to the land.

NewsNation interviewer: This is the story of how their farmland was destroyed right out from under them.

Erin Brockovich: Greed. Money.

NewsNation interviewer: Will take you to ground zero of where it all began. You never wanted to be an activist.

Farmer #2: I just wanted to milk our cows and be left to hell alone.

NewsNation interviewer: And show you how far back the paper trail goes.

Farmer #2: When they have the choice of do we go public with this or do we sweep it under the rug, they chose the rug.

NewsNation interviewer: And with these chemicals now impacting 97% of Americans, according to the CDC, what you and your family need to know.

Erin Brockovich: I am glad News Nation is looking into this problem. All of us, the entire country, will deal with the fallout.

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