In 1929, people in Chicago started dyíng mysteriously. No signs of foul play—just sudden dèaths. Eventually, the kíller was identified: refrigerators. At the time, fridges used methyl chloride, a highly toxic gas. If it leaked, it could silently kíll without warning. So chemical giant DuPont decided to invent a safer alternative.
What they created instead would change the world—for the worse.
A DuPont scientist named Dr. Roy J. Plunkett accidentally discovered a strange, waxy substance that was incredibly resistant to heat, acids, and pretty much everything else. It didn’t burn, corrode, or degrade. It was the perfect material. They called it Teflon.
At first, it was used in secret military projects, including the Manhattan Project—yes, the one that built the atomic bömb. After WWII, it went commercial. And spread like wildfire.
Teflon was everywhere:
✅ Non-stick pans
✅ Waterproof jackets
✅ Stain-resistant carpets
✅ Food packaging
✅ Medical implants
It was hailed as a miracle of modern science. But to make Teflon, DuPont used a chemical called C8. C8 didn’t go away. It didn’t break down. It built up—in the air, in water, in soil, in food, and in our bodies. Eventually, it reached everyone.
In the 1990s, a farmer named Earl Tennant noticed his cows were dyíng. He discovered tumors, black teeth, and hairless hooves. The water flowing into his farm was foaming. And guess where it flowed from? That’s right. From a DuPont landfill.
So Tennant hired a lawyer. Rob Bilott. Neither of them had any idea how deep this went. They thought maybe it was an accident, a one time thing. Wrong!
A documentary called The Devil We Know (2018), and subsequently a movie starring Mark Ruffalo called Dark Waters (2019) were released regarding this very topic and legal saga.
By 2005, a scientific panel confirmed the worst:
C8 was linked to:
– Kidney cancer,
– Testicular cancer
– Thyroid disease
– Ulcerative colitis …and more.
In 2017, DuPont settled over $600 million in lawsuits. But here’s where it gets worse. Instead of stopping, DuPont spun off its Teflon business into a new company called Chemours. They tweaked the formula and gave the world GenX, a “safer” version. Only…it wasn’t.
New studies showed GenX caused the same diseases. But this time, it spread faster and further than C8.
Today, we call these substances PFAS: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances—also known as Forever Chemicals. Why?
Because they don’t break down. They don’t leave. They’re everywhere.
✅ In rainwater
✅ In brèást milk
✅ In soil
✅ In drinking water
✅ Even in polar bears.
Studies show 98% of human blood now contains PFAS. Every. Single. One. Of. Us.
How do PFAS hurt us?
They mimic fatty acids and embed deep in our organs. Once inside, they’re nearly impossible to remove. And while DuPont made billions from their “miracle,” the true cost has been measured in lives—and we’re still paying it.
So what can you do? To limit your exposure:
🚫 Avoid non-stick cookware (especially scratched ones)
🚫 Avoid stain-proof furniture, carpets, and waterproof clothing
🚫 Avoid food packaging like microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, and disposable plates
✅ Use certified water filters that remove PFAS:
– Reverse Osmosis (RO)
– Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)
– Ion Exchange Resins
One invention. One cover-up. One planet contaminated.
And the legacy continues.
So tell us—were you aware that nearly everything around you could be toxic?
#ForeverChemicals #DarkWaters #TeflonTruth #PFAS #HealthAwareness #asolotraveler
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