Hysterical: Episode 4 – Waiting for Brockovich
Host: Dan Tabersky
Release Date: July 29, 2024
1. Introduction to Leroy's Medical Mystery
Dan Tabersky opens the episode by delving into the perplexing case of a mysterious illness affecting a group of high school girls in Leroy, New York. The host sets the stage by questioning whether the symptoms are due to environmental toxins, such as contaminated water or chemicals within the school, or if they stem from psychological factors like mass hysteria.
Notable Quote:
"What is causing their sudden, often violent symptoms? Is there something in the water or inside the school? Or is it 'all in their head?'"
— Dan Tabersky [02:00]
2. Historical Context: The 1970 Train Derailment and TCE Spill
The episode provides historical context by recounting a significant environmental disaster that occurred in December 1970. A Lehigh Valley train derailed, releasing 2 tons of cyanide crystals and 35,000 gallons of trichloroethane (TCE) into the groundwater. This incident laid the foundation for the ongoing environmental concerns in Leroy.
Notable Quote:
"Trichloroethylene is a degreasing solvent used in manufacturing. 35,000 gallons of it went into the ground that night and into the groundwater, and it's still there."
— Dan Tabersky [04:52]
3. Environmental Concerns: Natural Gas Wells on School Property
Bob Bocock, a water supply expert, investigates the presence of six natural gas wells on the high school property—a highly unusual and concerning finding. The wells were initially justified as a means to offset heating costs, but their existence raised red flags about potential chemical exposure and environmental safety.
Notable Quote:
"Six natural gas wells on school property? One is about as dumb as it gets. Six is just kind of pathetically stupid."
— Bob Bocock [20:32]
4. Erin Brockovich's Intervention
The nationally renowned environmentalist Erin Brockovich steps into the Leroy case, bringing significant attention and resources to investigate the mysterious illnesses. Brockovich's involvement leads to increased media presence and heightened scrutiny of the environmental factors at play.
Notable Quote:
"Erin Brockovich sent a team ahead to make sure it's legit. You stick your number two on them, the one who does all the work and gets none of the glory."
— Dan Tabersky [11:01]
5. Bob Bocock's Investigation
Bob Bocock arrives in Leroy skeptical of the reports, initially doubting that the girls are faking their symptoms. However, after witnessing the genuine distress of the affected girls, his perspective shifts. Bocock conducts thorough investigations, including soil and water sampling, uncovering ongoing environmental hazards like leaking fracking wells and residual contamination from the 1970 derailment.
Notable Quote:
"I sat in the room with these kids. They couldn't fake that. Whether it was chemically induced or psychologically induced, they were not faking."
— Bob Bocock [19:58]
6. Comparison to Love Canal
The episode draws parallels between Leroy and the infamous Love Canal disaster of the 1970s. Like Love Canal, Leroy experienced severe environmental contamination leading to widespread health issues, primarily affecting children. The community's struggle for recognition and remediation mirrors that of Love Canal’s residents.
Notable Quote:
"Locals have been raised on stories of Love Canal, a catastrophic toxic waste scandal from the 1970s. It was only 50 miles from Leroy."
— Dan Tabersky [14:02]
7. Impact of Erin Brockovich's Team on the Situation
Erin Brockovich’s team intensifies the investigation, leading to increased community activism and media coverage. However, this heightened focus also exacerbates the perceived severity of the outbreak, contributing to heightened anxiety and possibly intensifying the symptoms experienced by the afflicted girls.
Notable Quote:
"In the week after Erin Brockovich. There's 11 exacerbations the following week."
— Dr. Drew Pinsky [34:20]
8. Medical Perspective: Dr. McVig's Analysis
Dr. McVig, a neurologist, provides a medical perspective, initially supporting the theory of mass psychogenic illness. Her analysis tracks the correlation between increased media attention and the worsening of symptoms, suggesting that the stress and anxiety generated by the investigations may be aggravating the girls' conditions.
Notable Quote:
"So we had to map all of that against the big upheavals in the brouhaha... to see how her patients fared afterwards."
— Dr. Drew Pinsky [33:42]
9. The Role of Mass Hysteria and Community Response
The episode explores the concept of mass hysteria, where collective anxiety and fear can manifest as physical symptoms. Leroy's tight-knit community dynamics, combined with historical mistrust of authorities—as seen in the Love Canal aftermath—create a fertile ground for such psychological phenomena.
Notable Quote:
"Hysteria is a tricky word... it's the perplexing battery of symptoms where mind and body seem to meet the medical definition of the unknown."
— Dan Tabersky [30:02]
10. Conclusion: Unresolved Questions and Future Directions
Despite extensive investigations, the Leroy case remains unresolved. Environmental tests failed to conclusively link the symptoms to specific toxins, leaving the community grappling with uncertainty. The episode suggests that both environmental and psychological factors may be intertwined, complicating the search for definitive answers.
Notable Quote:
"Nine times out of 10, I actually have a result that I can report. Leroy was one of those few instances where I spent months down there and never resolved or had a complete conclusion as to what happened."
— Bob Bocock [30:56]
Final Thoughts:
Episode 4 of Hysterical, titled "Waiting for Brockovich," masterfully intertwines environmental investigation with psychological analysis, presenting a multifaceted view of the medical mystery in Leroy, New York. Through interviews, expert insights, and historical comparisons, the episode challenges listeners to consider the complex interplay between external toxins and internal psychological responses in understanding community-wide health crises.
Stay Tuned:
The episode concludes by hinting at further investigations into similar cases of unexplained illnesses and the pervasive fear of being dismissed or labeled as hysterical. Listeners are encouraged to continue following the series for deeper insights into the mysteries of mass hysteria and environmental health.
For more information and to listen to the full episode, visit the Hysterical page on the Wondery App or your preferred podcast platform.