About this episode:

In late 2025, the EPA approved two pesticides for agricultural use that opponents argue contain PFAS—"forever chemicals" that pose hazards to human health. In this episode: the debate around what constitutes PFAS and the EPA's role in regulating these harmful chemicals.

Guest:

Rachel Frazin covers energy and environmental policy for The Hill and is the co-author of the book "Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America".

Host:

Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Show links and related content:

E.P.A. Moves to Weaken Limits on a Cancer-Causing Gas—New York Times
EPA just approved new 'forever chemical' pesticides for use on food—Washington Post
Trump EPA will defend Biden rule forcing polluters to pay for 'forever chemical' cleanup—The Hill
Uncovering America's Decades-Long PFAS Contamination—Public Health On Call (June 2025)

Transcript information:

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