Dark Waters: The Scandal Of How The Industry Concealed The Risks Of Teflon

The film Aguas Oscuras ( Dark Waters , 2019) passed through Spanish cinemas a few months ago without making any noise, although it collects a real case of environmental and health crisis, it is 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 a must-watch for anyone interested in healthy eating, cooking materials, health in general and the world that surrounds you.

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

Dark Waters , based on very recent and true events, tackles a wide variety of topics. From toxic spills and the danger of some chemical products to the concealment of data by some manufacturers and their desire for profit over people and nature, through the negligence – or corruption – of the Environmental Protection Agency, veterinarians and some scientists.

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

This is not an epic film with the classic story of a lawyer with a conscience who battles against an unscrupulous big corporation, but it is much more.

In history we meet humble farmers who clearly realize that something is poisoning their livestock and family, even if everyone denies it. We know of a 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 tenacious work over nearly two decades of attorney Robert Bilott.

The plot shows very clearly the day-to-day, ungrateful and meticulous, behind these feats : necessary thoroughness, putting truth and justice before personal benefit, the human and family wear they cause and the infinite perseverance that can be achieved. suppose.

What’s behind some of our pans?

Although they were presented to us as the panacea for the kitchen and the solution for tortillas that do not stick, the emergence of non-stick Teflon pans in the 70s was a milestone that hid a dark 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.

The perfluorooctanoic acid, also known as PFOA or C8 and star of this film is a chemical that entered the US food chain without being evaluated without even appear in the list of potential contaminants, because the list would be provided by own industry.

Dark Waters and the judgment and research on which it is based demonstrate the deadly consequences of inhaled, drunk or consumed PFOA.

“At DuPont they knew everything,” the tape says, recalling the words of attorney Robert Bilott. “They knew that the C8 that they spent decades expelling into the open and putting underground caused cancer. They knew that their own workers were getting cancers. They knew that consumers were also exposed and not only by Teflon. By paints, by fabrics, for raincoats, boots … “

The largest epidemiological study in history

Thanks to the work of Robert Bilott and his attempt to provide a response and solution to dead animals, 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 US by an independent scientific committee in which 69,000 blood samples were analyzed.

Their results were irrefutable and linked PFOA to more than 6 diseases, including 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 millionaire compensation. And this has happened just a few years ago!

Social moral and where do I cook my omelette?

The film and the painful fact in itself with so many truncated human lives, chronic diseases and environmental tragedy behind it, gives a long reflection on all the actors involved, from veterinarians to public organizations.

Likewise, it confirms the need to strictly regulate the use of synthetic components by the industry, to apply the principle of prudence, to assess the minimum doses when exposure is continuous and to bet on a life as free of toxins as possible.

There is life beyond Teflon: PFOA-free pans

At present, there are already non-stick pans free of PFOA, 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 risks.

We are increasingly aware of the need to claim a more natural lifestyle by 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 Waters , the epidemiological study of PFOA, the “fine” to DuPont and the public derision for making known for decades the toxicity of its compound and having it not only hidden but also dumped and used with impunity, will serve today’s society. and the next generations of examples of what should never happen again.