00:00A new study shows that leading manufacturers knew about the toxicity of, quote, forever chemicals
00:05and intentionally kept the information from the public.
00:08Science Alert notes that for at least 21 years, company leaders at DuPont, the maker of Teflon,
00:14and 3M, the maker of Scotchgard, sat on concerning results.
00:19The research focused on PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoralkyl substances.
00:24These substances are also known as, quote, forever chemicals
00:27because that's pretty much how long they linger in the environment.
00:31Time reports that forever chemicals have been linked to several illnesses and health issues,
00:36including decreased fertility, high blood pressure, and increased risk of certain cancers.
00:41These chemicals are found in thousands of products, including nonstick pans and textiles.
00:47Uncovered company documents spanning from 1961 to 2006
00:51show that both DuPont and 3M were involved in deception of the public.
00:55Science Alert notes that since the 1970s, DuPont knew the substances used in its products
01:01were, quote, highly toxic when ingested.
01:04But in 1991, DuPont denied any adverse health effects.
01:08Today, most chemical regulations in the U.S. are usually made in hindsight.
01:13One of the study's lead researchers said, quote,
01:15this research is important to inform policy and move us towards a precautionary
01:20rather than reactionary principle of chemical regulation.
01:23The U.S. is a great example of a chemical regulation.
01:23The U.S. is a great example of a chemical regulation.
01:23The U.S. is a great example of a chemical regulation.
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