Forever Chemicals and the Impact on Communities

Decades ago different chemicals were sold to industries and private individuals as solutions for pest control. At the time the chemicals were thought to be safe for use. Soon after using the chemicals communities across the world found there were major issues being created within the population around them that did not exist before. When there are issues that arise that are new to populations it usually takes time to start to notice patterns and put together the source. Many communities saw people die, become extremely sick, become diagnosed with medical disorders, and have babies with birth defects. These changes within the world created hysteria in many towns. Each community was left trying to put together the best method of handling the issue and there was a lot of variation between conflict resolution tactics used. 

Decades have passed and the chemicals that caused all of those issues are still present within the water and on the land. Some communities have chosen to try and move the soil with chemicals present to another location. Moving the soil does not eliminate the issue and could actually cause more people to become exposed to dormant molecules that sit below the surface. All communities across the world have these chemicals sitting on the land and mingled into the water. In this area the chemicals have been found in most rivers and in major bodies of water like Flathead lake. This means the chemicals are present in the majority of the water. There is no way to undo what was done decades ago. There have been many efforts to try and hide the conversations around this topic and paint this issue in a different light. Those efforts kept industries from being protected and made entire populations of people look like they did not understand how to lead. 

These chemicals are measurable and found everywhere. There is nothing that can be done about it. Most of the major side effects seen within communities have decreased, but many medical disorders and health concerns have been linked to the presence of elements that we can not get rid of. The only solution is to walk through this moment in time. People will have medical conditions, be born with birth defects, and have to deal with more than they would have if there was no environmental issue. It is just part of life. Creating stress in the population around the effects of forever chemicals causes communities to be worried about topics they have no choice about. The only way to walk through the life of the chemicals and any effects they have on the population is to honor those affected. Some communities have attacked those affected and those communities have stifled the population living within. If the families and people affected were walked next to honorably years ago the nation would have probably already had protections for the industries affected put into place. However, the energy that went into solving this issue was to cover something up instead of walk through it. When the action that is taken to address issues is to hide the issue there is no progress that is made to help the affected parties and all future solutions are impeded by the fear caused by the repeated negative behaviors. 

Industries should have been protected and given immunity and they were not because the response of the people leading at the time was to cover up the issue rather than create a model that protects the industry when sold products from third parties. 

Where do we go from here? We live our lives and honor our fellows. Everyone and every family are exposed. All information on these chemicals and the effects on populations is published on the CDC and EPA websites. When we amp the stories up around chemicals, we can not get rid of, we cause more conflicts and stifle progress in industries. It is best to learn the art of being ok with life on life’s terms because any family could be affected, and all families deserve to live their lives freely.