Podcast appearances and mentions of rob bilott

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Best podcasts about rob bilott

Latest podcast episodes about rob bilott

Your Undivided Attention
Forever Chemicals, Forever Consequences: What PFAS Teaches Us About AI

Your Undivided Attention

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 64:33


Artificial intelligence is set to unleash an explosion of new technologies and discoveries into the world. This could lead to incredible advances in human flourishing, if we do it well. The problem? We're not very good at predicting and responding to the harms of new technologies, especially when those harms are slow-moving and invisible.Today on the show we explore this fundamental problem with Rob Bilott, an environmental lawyer who has spent nearly three decades battling chemical giants over PFAS—"forever chemicals" now found in our water, soil, and blood. These chemicals helped build the modern economy, but they've also been shown to cause serious health problems.Rob's story, and the story of PFAS is a cautionary tale of why we need to align technological innovation with safety, and mitigate irreversible harms before they become permanent. We only have one chance to get it right before AI becomes irreversibly entangled in our society.Your Undivided Attention is produced by the Center for Humane Technology. Subscribe to our Substack and follow us on X: @HumaneTech_.Clarification: Rob referenced EPA regulations that have recently been put in place requiring testing on new chemicals before they are approved. The EPA under the Trump admin has announced their intent to rollback this review process.RECOMMENDED MEDIA“Exposure” by Robert Bilott ProPublica's investigation into 3M's production of PFAS The FB study cited by Tristan More information on the Exxon Valdez oil spill The EPA's PFAS drinking water standards RECOMMENDED YUA EPISODESWeaponizing Uncertainty: How Tech is Recycling Big Tobacco's Playbook AI Is Moving Fast. We Need Laws that Will Too. Former OpenAI Engineer William Saunders on Silence, Safety, and the Right to WarnBig Food, Big Tech and Big AI with Michael Moss

FORward Radio program archives
Election Connection | PFAS "Forever Chemicals" and their Impacts| Teena Halbig Moderator | 11-5-24

FORward Radio program archives

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2024 58:58


PFAS, or Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of synthetic chemicals, known as "forever chemicals" because they persist in the environment and in most all human bodies and other animals worldwide. They were developed by DuPont and manufactured into myriads of products by DuPont and 3M. On October 28, 2024, Rob Bilott, an attorney and author of the book "Exposure" presented the results of his decades-long investigation and findings on what was killing a farmer's cows and ultimately the farmer himself. This presentation took place at the Louisville League of Women Voters. It was part of a 2024 UN Day PFAS Awareness Program organized and moderated by Teena Halbig, President of the United Nations Association of USA Kentucky Division. Other presenters were Elijah Yetter-Bowman, Dr. Clara Sears, and Dr. Frederick Ekuban.

The Poison Detectives
Toxic Justice

The Poison Detectives

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2024 47:47


In this episode, everyone has given up on the regulators, who move slowly if at all. Lawsuits are filed by Diane Cotter's husband Paul and his colleagues. The union, the International Association of Fire Fighters, sues the National Fire Protection Association, which sets the safety standards for firefighting equipment. And lawyer Rob Bilott files a class action suit, which includes every person in the U.S., and requires the chemical companies to pay for blood tests of all 325 million Americans. Will the chemical companies let him get away with it? And we learn about Diane Cotter's hardest days. After years of abuse on social media, email attacks and shunning, she felt she couldn't go on. But something pulled her back from the edge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seeking Sustainability LIVE (SSL)
Seed Saving & PFAS issues in Japan - talking with Ryoko Matsuno

Seeking Sustainability LIVE (SSL)

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2024 61:01


Dr.Ryoko Matsuno is an environmental researcher who has worn many hats over her career as a government official, researcher, educator, environmental activist, consultant and community organizer promoting sustainable living and sustainable business initiatives. In this talk Dr. Matsuno joins us to talk about her work researching and raising awareness of PFAS and pesticides used in Japan as well as her seed-saving activities. Dr. Ryoko Matsuno has a PhD in Environmental Law from the University of Kent - UK, an LLM in Environmental Law & Conservation, and a BA in International - Cultural Studies, Tsuda University - Tokyo.LINKSCROP Trust Org - the world's biggest seed bank in Scalbard - https://www.croptrust.org/work/svalbard-global-seed-vault/PFAS movie starring Mark Gruffalo "Dark Waters" (2019) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9071322/Japan Times (2023) article, "Japan Slowly Wakes up to dangers of PFAS forever chemicals" https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/05/28/national/japan-pfas-risks-growing-awareness/TIME article (2019) about Rob Bilott and the movie dark waters, "Dark Waters Tells the True Story of the Lawyer Who Took DuPont to Court and Won. But Rob Bilott's Fight Is Far From Over"https://time.com/5737451/dark-waters-true-story-rob-bilott/Detroit Free Press (2018) "PFAS limit may not adequately protect human health" https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2018/12/18/science-panel-michigans-pfas-limit-may-not-adequately-protect-health/2349585002/Into the weeds film about the dangers of herbicide use to people, planet and economies - https://www.filmmovement.com/educational/film/into-the-weeds#:~:text=Into%20the%20Weeds%3A%20Dewayne%20%E2%80%9CLee,of%20the%20weed%20killer%2C%20Roundup.JJ's mentions:The organic, no-till farmer I mention is Thomas Kloepfer at Pitchfork farms who also does farm fresh deliveries all over Japan: https://gethiroshima.com/features/people/pitchfork-natural-farms-on-mukaishima-island/I have talked with Thomas a few times for this channel : https://www.youtube.com/live/tkoIzesx5Jo?si=wY-f68Iv1r1W3c5FOrganic/Natural Farmers & Food Growers playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcyYXjRuE20GajKYIPFOfVexBBeLTXFHk&si=H8B55Khw-P8QZBHLHeather of Nagano Naturally: https://www.youtube.com/live/v0-9ACjmo8U?si=KIEt_55vjc1SJ_zT https://naganonaturally.com/

Beat the Big Guys
Your Patience Will Be Rewarded By Making the World a Better Place -- Rob Bilott (Remastered)

Beat the Big Guys

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2023 45:06


In 2021, Sandy interviewed environmental attorney Robert Bilott. Bilott helped lead the first litigation in the country against the 3M Company for PFAS contamination in Minnesota, and worked to raise awareness of the threat to public health and the environment from PFAS “forever chemicals” for over two decades. On June 22, 2023, a settlement valued up to $12.5B was announced with the 3M Company to address contamination of U.S. public drinking water supplies with PFAS. In commemoration of this victory and great effort undertaken by Bilott, Beat the Big Guys will be releasing a remastered version of his interview as our 72nd episode.----Beat the Big GuysHost and Creator: Sandy RosenthalExecutive Producer: Landry BohnBe sure to rate this podcast on your favorite platforms.The video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/bshttps://youtu.be/bsZm5jSuM7AZm5jSuM7AConnect with Sandy on Instagram: @beatthebigguys

EcoJustice Radio
Dark Waters: Attorney Rob Bilott's Battle Against Dupont To Expose Forever Chemicals

EcoJustice Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2023 66:58


Devil's urine. That's what Dupont employees called PFAS. These toxic, human made forever chemicals are now in the blood of almost every human on the planet. They are found in drinking water around the world, even Antarctica. And they are used in a broad range of consumer products, like non-stick cookware, stain-resistant clothing, waterproof items, dental floss, and even medical masks. These are only a few examples of many. This group of toxic chemicals, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), permanently concentrates in your body and the environment. You can't get rid of them. In fact, they bioaccumulate, meaning they get worse and worse. The public awareness from uncovering of the truth behind Dupont's misdeeds now contaminating much of the planet is tantamount to this generation's Silent Spring. Our guest Rob Bilott is very much a Rachel Carson sort of figure who has stood up to the chemical industry as the lead attorney to bring light to the dangers of PFAS and its many variations. He fought and won a 20+ year battle against Dupont for the poisoning of over 70,000 people in West Virginia and Ohio. His work was even captured in the 2019 feature film, Dark Waters where he was portrayed by Mark Ruffalo. In this interview from Summer 2022, we explore the history of PFAS, what exposure means, where it can be found, and what we can do. For an extended discussion, click here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-with-on-70223811 Rob Bilott is a partner in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky offices of the law firm, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP [https://www.taftlaw.com/people/robert-a-bilott], where he has practiced in the Environmental and Litigation Groups for over 31 years. During that time, Rob has handled and led some of the most novel and complex cases in the country involving damage from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), including the first individual, class action, mass tort, and multi-district litigation proceedings concerning the toxic chemical, recovering over $1 billion for impacted clients. In 2017, Rob received the Right Livelihood Award, known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” for his decades of work on behalf of those injured by PFAS chemical contamination. Rob is the author of the book, “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont,” [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Exposure/Robert-Bilott/9781501172823] and his story is the inspiration for the 2019 motion picture, “Dark Waters,” starring Mark Ruffalo. Rob's story and work is also featured in the documentary, “The Devil We Know.” Jessica Aldridge, Co-Host and Producer of EcoJustice Radio, is an environmental educator, community organizer, and 15-year waste industry leader. She is a co-founder of SoCal 350, organizer for ReusableLA, and founded Adventures in Waste. She is a former professor of Recycling and Resource Management at Santa Monica College, and an award recipient of the international 2021 Women in Sustainability Leadership and the 2016 inaugural Waste360, 40 Under 40. More Info: Book: Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Exposure/Robert-Bilott/9781501172823 Feature Film: Dark Waters https://www.focusfeatures.com/dark-waters Documentary: The Devil We Know https://www.amazon.com/Devil-We-Know-Bucky-Bailey/dp/B07J35G3P4 Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://wilderutopia.com/ecojustice-radio/exposing-pfas-global-contamination-one-lawyers-battle-for-justice/ Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Guest: Rob Bilott Host and Producer: Jessica Aldridge Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Executive Producer: Jack Eidt Episode 145

Trial School Top Shelf
Episode 9: Exposure

Trial School Top Shelf

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2022 70:27


“For Erin Brockovich fans, a David vs. Goliath tale with a twist.”– The New York Times Book ReviewThe story that inspired the major motion picture Dark Waters, starring Mark Ruffalo as Robert Bilott.Robert Bilott is a partner at the law firm Taft Stettinius & Hollister, LLP in Cincinnati, Ohio where he has practiced environmental law and litigation for more than twenty-eight years. He has been selected as one of the Best Lawyers in America for several years running and has received numerous honors for his work in environmental law and litigation. Rob is a former chair of the Cincinnati Bar Association's Environmental Law Committee and a graduate of New College in Sarasota, Florida (BA) and the Ohio State University College of Law (JD, cum laude). In 2017, Rob received the international Right Livelihood Award, commonly known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” for his years of work on PFOA. Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle against DuPont is his first book.In 1998, Rob Bilott began a legal battle against DuPont that would consume the next twenty years of his life, uncovering the worst case of environmental contamination in modern history and a corporate cover-up that put the health of hundreds of thousands of people at risk. Representing a single farmer who was convinced the creek on his property had been poisoned by runoff from a nearby DuPont landfill, Rob ultimately discovers the truth about PFAS—unregulated, toxic chemicals used in the manufacturing of Teflon and a host of other household goods. DuPont's own scientists had issued internal warnings for years about the harmful effects of PFAS on human health, but the company continued to allow these chemicals to leach into public drinking water. Until Rob forced them to face the consequences.Listen in...Host: John Uustal of Kelley | Uustal | Email John (jju@kulaw.com) | Follow John on Facebook (@JohnUustalTrialLawyer) | Follow John on Twitter (@JohnUustal)Visit the Top Shelf Trial School Book Club Website: Trial School Top ShelfFollow Trial School on Social Media: Facebook (@TrialSchool) | Twitter (@Trial_School) | Instagram (@Trial_School)Book: Exposure  by Robert BilottGuest Author: Robert Bilott of Taft Stettinius & Hollister, LLPGuest: Gale Pearson of Fears NachawatiGuest: Lee Javins of Bailey, Javins & Carter, L.CGuest: Courtney Winston of Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen, PCWatch the Webinar Video: Relentless PursuitAbout Trial School:Trial School is a private, confidential, and invitation-only organization that provides education and training for lawyers who represent people. Trial School is different from all other trial advocacy programs in that it features a unique Mixed Method Advocacy or “MMA” approach. To apply click HERE.-----------------Production House: Flint Stone Media

EcoJustice Radio
Exposing PFAS: Global Contamination & One Lawyer's Battle For Justice

EcoJustice Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2022 64:25


Devil's urine. That's what Dupont employees called PFAS. These toxic, human made forever chemicals are now in the blood of almost every human on the planet. They are found in drinking water around the world, even Antarctica. And they are used in a broad range of consumer products, like non-stick cookware, stain-resistant clothing, waterproof items, dental floss, and even medical masks. These are only a few examples of many. This group of toxic chemicals, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), permanently concentrates in your body and the environment. You can't get rid of them. In fact, they bioaccumulate, meaning they get worse and worse. The public awareness from uncovering of the truth behind Dupont's misdeeds now contaminating much of the planet is tantamount to this generation's Silent Spring. Our guest Rob Bilott is very much a Rachel Carson sort of figure who has stood up to the chemical industry as the lead attorney to bring light to the dangers of PFAS and its many variations. He fought and won a 20+ year battle against Dupont for the poisoning of over 70,000 people in West Virginia and Ohio. His work was even captured in the 2019 feature film, Dark Waters where he was portrayed by Mark Ruffalo. Rob has continued his groundbreaking work and is looking at the potential of a nationwide class action lawsuit as newer versions of PFAS emerge, unregulated and as dangerous as ever. In this show, we explore the history of PFAS, what exposure means, where it can be found, and what we can do. Rob Bilott is a partner in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky offices of the law firm, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP [https://www.taftlaw.com/people/robert-a-bilott], where he has practiced in the Environmental and Litigation Groups for over 31 years. During that time, Rob has handled and led some of the most novel and complex cases in the country involving damage from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), including the first individual, class action, mass tort, and multi-district litigation proceedings concerning the toxic chemical, recovering over $1 billion for impacted clients. In 2017, Rob received the Right Livelihood Award, known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” for his decades of work on behalf of those injured by PFAS chemical contamination. Rob is the author of the book, “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont,” [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Exposure/Robert-Bilott/9781501172823] and his story is the inspiration for the 2019 motion picture, “Dark Waters,” starring Mark Ruffalo. Rob's story and work is also featured in the documentary, “The Devil We Know.” More Info: Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Exposure/Robert-Bilott/9781501172823 Movie: https://www.focusfeatures.com/dark-waters Documentary: https://www.amazon.com/Devil-We-Know-Bucky-Bailey/dp/B07J35G3P4 National academies of Science: https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2022/07/new-report-calls-for-expanded-pfas-testing-for-people-with-history-of-elevated-exposure-offers-advice-for-clinical-treatment https://www.ewg.org/what-are-pfas-chemicals Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Guest: Rob Bilott Host and Producer: Jessica Aldridge Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Executive Producer: Jack Eidt Created by: Mark and JP Morris Episode 145 Photo Credit: Rob Bilott

Springfield's Talk 104.1 On-Demand
All Out Law PODCAST: 08.06.22- Conspiracy theories with James Clary and Tom Martz

Springfield's Talk 104.1 On-Demand

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2022 41:52


Tom Martz is filling in for Kyle Wyatt to talk about a variety of topics, including: Conspiracy theories with James Clary "Dark Waters" movie by Rob Bilott. "It's dangerous chemicals in our water supply is a serious issue" Climate change and laid-based paint as a part of conspiracy theory What is regulatory capture? Illegal immigration and fake SSN

Behind The Shield
Rob Bilott - Episode 631

Behind The Shield

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2022 89:19


Rob Bilott is a veteran Environmental Litigator and the lawyer portrayed by Mark Ruffalo in the movie Dark Waters. We discuss his journey into law, navigating environmental law, how a farmer's dying cattle burst open the unethical practices of DuPont, the diseases and deaths attributed to "Forever Chemicals" and so much more.

Out of Hours: The Podcast
DuPont's Worst Nightmare: Building a legal case that would change history, with Rob Bilott

Out of Hours: The Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2022 60:10


How does one West Virginian farmer, suspecting foul play and seeking justice, win against one of the largest chemical companies in the world?With the help of someone called Robert Bilott.Today on the show, we have Rob Bilott, described by the New York Times as 'DuPont's worst nightmare' - the lawyer whose story was turned into a Hollywood turned into the film starring Mark Rufalo and Anne Hathaway.Rob is a corporate defence lawyer, who started this case as a small side project - a favour to a farmer from his local area. What he ended up uncovering was one of the biggest cover ups in America. He found that DuPont had been knowingly dumping toxic chemicals into our water, chemicals which are now found in 99% of all living creatures on this earth - and are linked to 6 diseases and birth defects.To read more on Rob's story:Watch the trailer for Dark Waters hereWatch The Devil We Now hereRead Exposure hereP.S. If you want to start your own side project - sign up to the Sprint here! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

RFK Jr The Defender Podcast
Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging and Makeup with Rob Bilott

RFK Jr The Defender Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2022 29:52


Rob Bilott discusses toxic chemicals in food packaging and cosmetics and what these chemicals do to humans. PFAS chemicals are found in our blood, water, food, and across the planet.  Mark Ruffalo played Rob Bilott in Dark Waters, a movie that tells this story. To learn more and where to watch the important film click here: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9071322/ For more info on Rob Bilott and to purchase his book, Exposure, visit: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Exposure/Robert-Bilott/9781501172823 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rfkjr/message

Corporate Crime Reporter Morning Minute
Wednesday May 4, 2022 Rob Bilott on His 20 Year Fight Against Forever Chemicals

Corporate Crime Reporter Morning Minute

Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2022 1:00


Wednesday May 4, 2022 Rob Bilott on His 20 Year Fight Against Forever Chemicals

The Creative Process Podcast
(Highlights) ROB BILOTT

The Creative Process Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2022


“It's kind of a scary thought. We've got these PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), you hear them now referred to as forever chemicals because these chemicals–none of these existed on the planet prior to World War II–they're fairly recent invention and they have this unique chemical structure that makes them incredibly useful in a lot of different products, manufacturing operations, but also that same chemical structure makes them incredibly persistent and incredibly difficult to break down once they get out into the environment, into the natural world, into our soil, into our water. They simply, many of them, particularly the ones with eight or more carbons in their structure, don't break down under natural conditions. Or it may take thousands or millions of years for those chemicals to start breaking down. But not only that. Once they get into us, they get into people, they tend to accumulate in our blood and build up over time. They not only persist, they bioaccumulate. Unfortunately, as the science has slowly been revealed to the world about what these chemicals can do, we are seeing that they can have all kinds of toxic effects And unfortunately, we're finding that those things can happen at lower and lower dose levels.”“I can't speak highly enough of Mark Ruffalo and what he was able to accomplish with the film. He just did an amazing job. He reached out to me after reading the story that appeared in The New York Times Magazine back in 2016 about this situation down in West Virginia along the Ohio River and was really shocked when he read about it because it was really highlighting an environmental contamination problem that had potentially nationwide, if not worldwide implications but that he had never heard of, and you know he was active in the environmental arena and active in water issues and was surprised that he had not heard of this before and really wanted to find a way to help bring the story out to a wider audience so that we could hopefully start seeing some change in the way type of situations not only develop but how we deal with them. He was able to team up with the folks at Participant Media, who, if you go on their website, and see the types of films they've produced are just incredible filmmakers. Teamed up with Todd Haynes who is an incredible director, and just a terrific cast. Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins and others. Really they were very dedicated to making sure they did the story and brought it to film in the right way, to show what really happened, not only legally and scientifically, but also to real people. What kind of impact these situations have on real people in real communities. What these people went through for 20 years in this community waiting for this process to unfold. So I think they did a tremendous job in taking a very complicated story that involves a lot of science and a lot of law and conveying it in a way that really impresses upon people why this is a story that matters to all of us and why this is a story that really is one that hopefully is inspiring because, as we discussed, it shows that things can be changed. Things that look impossible can be overcome.”Rob Bilott is a partner in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky offices of the law firm, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, where he has practiced in the Environmental and Litigation Practice Groups for over 31 years. During that time, Rob has handled and led some of the most novel and complex cases in the country involving damage from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), including the first individual, class action, mass tort, and multi-district litigation proceedings involving PFAS, recovering over $1 billion for clients impacted by the chemicals. In 2017, Rob received the Right Livelihood Award, known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” for his decades of work on behalf of those injured by PFAS chemical contamination. Rob is the author of the book, “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont,” and his story is the inspiration for the 2019 motion picture, “Dark Waters,” starring Mark Ruffalo as Rob. Rob's story and work is also featured in the documentary, “The Devil We Know.” Rob is a 1987 graduate of New College in Sarasota, Florida and a 1990 graduate of the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Rob also serves on the Boards of Less Cancer and Green Umbrella and is frequently invited to provide keynote lectures and talks at law schools, universities, colleges, communities and other organizations all over the world. Rob is a fellow in the Right Livelihood College, a Lecturer at the Yale School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, and an Honorary Professor at the National University of Cordoba in Argentina. Rob also has received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from both Ohio State University and New College. · www.taftlaw.com · www.oneplanetpodcast.org · www.creativeprocess.info

The Creative Process Podcast

Rob Bilott is a partner in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky offices of the law firm, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, where he has practiced in the Environmental and Litigation Practice Groups for over 31 years. During that time, Rob has handled and led some of the most novel and complex cases in the country involving damage from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), including the first individual, class action, mass tort, and multi-district litigation proceedings involving PFAS, recovering over $1 billion for clients impacted by the chemicals. In 2017, Rob received the Right Livelihood Award, known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” for his decades of work on behalf of those injured by PFAS chemical contamination. Rob is the author of the book, “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont,” and his story is the inspiration for the 2019 motion picture, “Dark Waters,” starring Mark Ruffalo as Rob. Rob's story and work is also featured in the documentary, “The Devil We Know.” Rob is a 1987 graduate of New College in Sarasota, Florida and a 1990 graduate of the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Rob also serves on the Boards of Less Cancer and Green Umbrella and is frequently invited to provide keynote lectures and talks at law schools, universities, colleges, communities and other organizations all over the world. Rob is a fellow in the Right Livelihood College, a Lecturer at the Yale School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, and an Honorary Professor at the National University of Cordoba in Argentina. Rob also has received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from both Ohio State University and New College. · www.taftlaw.com · www.oneplanetpodcast.org · www.creativeprocess.info

One Planet Podcast

Rob Bilott is a partner in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky offices of the law firm, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, where he has practiced in the Environmental and Litigation Practice Groups for over 31 years. During that time, Rob has handled and led some of the most novel and complex cases in the country involving damage from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), including the first individual, class action, mass tort, and multi-district litigation proceedings involving PFAS, recovering over $1 billion for clients impacted by the chemicals. In 2017, Rob received the Right Livelihood Award, known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” for his decades of work on behalf of those injured by PFAS chemical contamination. Rob is the author of the book, “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont,” and his story is the inspiration for the 2019 motion picture, “Dark Waters,” starring Mark Ruffalo as Rob. Rob's story and work is also featured in the documentary, “The Devil We Know.” Rob is a 1987 graduate of New College in Sarasota, Florida and a 1990 graduate of the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Rob also serves on the Boards of Less Cancer and Green Umbrella and is frequently invited to provide keynote lectures and talks at law schools, universities, colleges, communities and other organizations all over the world. Rob is a fellow in the Right Livelihood College, a Lecturer at the Yale School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, and an Honorary Professor at the National University of Cordoba in Argentina. Rob also has received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from both Ohio State University and New College. · www.taftlaw.com · www.oneplanetpodcast.org · www.creativeprocess.info

One Planet Podcast
(Highlights) ROB BILOTT

One Planet Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2022


“It's kind of a scary thought. We've got these PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), you hear them now referred to as forever chemicals because these chemicals–none of these existed on the planet prior to World War II–they're fairly recent invention and they have this unique chemical structure that makes them incredibly useful in a lot of different products, manufacturing operations, but also that same chemical structure makes them incredibly persistent and incredibly difficult to break down once they get out into the environment, into the natural world, into our soil, into our water. They simply, many of them, particularly the ones with eight or more carbons in their structure, don't break down under natural conditions. Or it may take thousands or millions of years for those chemicals to start breaking down. But not only that. Once they get into us, they get into people, they tend to accumulate in our blood and build up over time. They not only persist, they bioaccumulate. Unfortunately, as the science has slowly been revealed to the world about what these chemicals can do, we are seeing that they can have all kinds of toxic effects And unfortunately, we're finding that those things can happen at lower and lower dose levels.”“I can't speak highly enough of Mark Ruffalo and what he was able to accomplish with the film. He just did an amazing job. He reached out to me after reading the story that appeared in The New York Times Magazine back in 2016 about this situation down in West Virginia along the Ohio River and was really shocked when he read about it because it was really highlighting an environmental contamination problem that had potentially nationwide, if not worldwide implications but that he had never heard of, and you know he was active in the environmental arena and active in water issues and was surprised that he had not heard of this before and really wanted to find a way to help bring the story out to a wider audience so that we could hopefully start seeing some change in the way type of situations not only develop but how we deal with them. He was able to team up with the folks at Participant Media, who, if you go on their website, and see the types of films they've produced are just incredible filmmakers. Teamed up with Todd Haynes who is an incredible director, and just a terrific cast. Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins and others. Really they were very dedicated to making sure they did the story and brought it to film in the right way, to show what really happened, not only legally and scientifically, but also to real people. What kind of impact these situations have on real people in real communities. What these people went through for 20 years in this community waiting for this process to unfold. So I think they did a tremendous job in taking a very complicated story that involves a lot of science and a lot of law and conveying it in a way that really impresses upon people why this is a story that matters to all of us and why this is a story that really is one that hopefully is inspiring because, as we discussed, it shows that things can be changed. Things that look impossible can be overcome.”Rob Bilott is a partner in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky offices of the law firm, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, where he has practiced in the Environmental and Litigation Practice Groups for over 31 years. During that time, Rob has handled and led some of the most novel and complex cases in the country involving damage from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), including the first individual, class action, mass tort, and multi-district litigation proceedings involving PFAS, recovering over $1 billion for clients impacted by the chemicals. In 2017, Rob received the Right Livelihood Award, known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” for his decades of work on behalf of those injured by PFAS chemical contamination. Rob is the author of the book, “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont,” and his story is the inspiration for the 2019 motion picture, “Dark Waters,” starring Mark Ruffalo as Rob. Rob's story and work is also featured in the documentary, “The Devil We Know.” Rob is a 1987 graduate of New College in Sarasota, Florida and a 1990 graduate of the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Rob also serves on the Boards of Less Cancer and Green Umbrella and is frequently invited to provide keynote lectures and talks at law schools, universities, colleges, communities and other organizations all over the world. Rob is a fellow in the Right Livelihood College, a Lecturer at the Yale School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, and an Honorary Professor at the National University of Cordoba in Argentina. Rob also has received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from both Ohio State University and New College. · www.taftlaw.com · www.oneplanetpodcast.org · www.creativeprocess.info

Books & Writers · The Creative Process

“It's kind of a scary thought. We've got these PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), you hear them now referred to as forever chemicals because these chemicals–none of these existed on the planet prior to World War II–they're fairly recent invention and they have this unique chemical structure that makes them incredibly useful in a lot of different products, manufacturing operations, but also that same chemical structure makes them incredibly persistent and incredibly difficult to break down once they get out into the environment, into the natural world, into our soil, into our water. They simply, many of them, particularly the ones with eight or more carbons in their structure, don't break down under natural conditions. Or it may take thousands or millions of years for those chemicals to start breaking down. But not only that. Once they get into us, they get into people, they tend to accumulate in our blood and build up over time. They not only persist, they bioaccumulate. Unfortunately, as the science has slowly been revealed to the world about what these chemicals can do, we are seeing that they can have all kinds of toxic effects And unfortunately, we're finding that those things can happen at lower and lower dose levels.”“I can't speak highly enough of Mark Ruffalo and what he was able to accomplish with the film. He just did an amazing job. He reached out to me after reading the story that appeared in The New York Times Magazine back in 2016 about this situation down in West Virginia along the Ohio River and was really shocked when he read about it because it was really highlighting an environmental contamination problem that had potentially nationwide, if not worldwide implications but that he had never heard of, and you know he was active in the environmental arena and active in water issues and was surprised that he had not heard of this before and really wanted to find a way to help bring the story out to a wider audience so that we could hopefully start seeing some change in the way type of situations not only develop but how we deal with them. He was able to team up with the folks at Participant Media, who, if you go on their website, and see the types of films they've produced are just incredible filmmakers. Teamed up with Todd Haynes who is an incredible director, and just a terrific cast. Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins and others. Really they were very dedicated to making sure they did the story and brought it to film in the right way, to show what really happened, not only legally and scientifically, but also to real people. What kind of impact these situations have on real people in real communities. What these people went through for 20 years in this community waiting for this process to unfold. So I think they did a tremendous job in taking a very complicated story that involves a lot of science and a lot of law and conveying it in a way that really impresses upon people why this is a story that matters to all of us and why this is a story that really is one that hopefully is inspiring because, as we discussed, it shows that things can be changed. Things that look impossible can be overcome.”Rob Bilott is a partner in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky offices of the law firm, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, where he has practiced in the Environmental and Litigation Practice Groups for over 31 years. During that time, Rob has handled and led some of the most novel and complex cases in the country involving damage from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), including the first individual, class action, mass tort, and multi-district litigation proceedings involving PFAS, recovering over $1 billion for clients impacted by the chemicals. In 2017, Rob received the Right Livelihood Award, known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” for his decades of work on behalf of those injured by PFAS chemical contamination. Rob is the author of the book, “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont,” and his story is the inspiration for the 2019 motion picture, “Dark Waters,” starring Mark Ruffalo as Rob. Rob's story and work is also featured in the documentary, “The Devil We Know.” Rob is a 1987 graduate of New College in Sarasota, Florida and a 1990 graduate of the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Rob also serves on the Boards of Less Cancer and Green Umbrella and is frequently invited to provide keynote lectures and talks at law schools, universities, colleges, communities and other organizations all over the world. Rob is a fellow in the Right Livelihood College, a Lecturer at the Yale School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, and an Honorary Professor at the National University of Cordoba in Argentina. Rob also has received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from both Ohio State University and New College. · www.taftlaw.com · www.oneplanetpodcast.org · www.creativeprocess.info

Books & Writers · The Creative Process

Rob Bilott is a partner in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky offices of the law firm, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, where he has practiced in the Environmental and Litigation Practice Groups for over 31 years. During that time, Rob has handled and led some of the most novel and complex cases in the country involving damage from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), including the first individual, class action, mass tort, and multi-district litigation proceedings involving PFAS, recovering over $1 billion for clients impacted by the chemicals. In 2017, Rob received the Right Livelihood Award, known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” for his decades of work on behalf of those injured by PFAS chemical contamination. Rob is the author of the book, “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont,” and his story is the inspiration for the 2019 motion picture, “Dark Waters,” starring Mark Ruffalo as Rob. Rob's story and work is also featured in the documentary, “The Devil We Know.” Rob is a 1987 graduate of New College in Sarasota, Florida and a 1990 graduate of the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Rob also serves on the Boards of Less Cancer and Green Umbrella and is frequently invited to provide keynote lectures and talks at law schools, universities, colleges, communities and other organizations all over the world. Rob is a fellow in the Right Livelihood College, a Lecturer at the Yale School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, and an Honorary Professor at the National University of Cordoba in Argentina. Rob also has received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from both Ohio State University and New College. · www.taftlaw.com · www.oneplanetpodcast.org · www.creativeprocess.info

Sustainability, Climate Change, Politics, Circular Economy & Environmental Solutions · One Planet Podcast

Rob Bilott is a partner in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky offices of the law firm, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, where he has practiced in the Environmental and Litigation Practice Groups for over 31 years. During that time, Rob has handled and led some of the most novel and complex cases in the country involving damage from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), including the first individual, class action, mass tort, and multi-district litigation proceedings involving PFAS, recovering over $1 billion for clients impacted by the chemicals. In 2017, Rob received the Right Livelihood Award, known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” for his decades of work on behalf of those injured by PFAS chemical contamination. Rob is the author of the book, “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont,” and his story is the inspiration for the 2019 motion picture, “Dark Waters,” starring Mark Ruffalo as Rob. Rob's story and work is also featured in the documentary, “The Devil We Know.” Rob is a 1987 graduate of New College in Sarasota, Florida and a 1990 graduate of the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Rob also serves on the Boards of Less Cancer and Green Umbrella and is frequently invited to provide keynote lectures and talks at law schools, universities, colleges, communities and other organizations all over the world. Rob is a fellow in the Right Livelihood College, a Lecturer at the Yale School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, and an Honorary Professor at the National University of Cordoba in Argentina. Rob also has received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from both Ohio State University and New College. · www.taftlaw.com · www.oneplanetpodcast.org · www.creativeprocess.info

Social Justice & Activism · The Creative Process

Rob Bilott is a partner in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky offices of the law firm, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, where he has practiced in the Environmental and Litigation Practice Groups for over 31 years. During that time, Rob has handled and led some of the most novel and complex cases in the country involving damage from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), including the first individual, class action, mass tort, and multi-district litigation proceedings involving PFAS, recovering over $1 billion for clients impacted by the chemicals. In 2017, Rob received the Right Livelihood Award, known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” for his decades of work on behalf of those injured by PFAS chemical contamination. Rob is the author of the book, “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont,” and his story is the inspiration for the 2019 motion picture, “Dark Waters,” starring Mark Ruffalo as Rob. Rob's story and work is also featured in the documentary, “The Devil We Know.” Rob is a 1987 graduate of New College in Sarasota, Florida and a 1990 graduate of the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Rob also serves on the Boards of Less Cancer and Green Umbrella and is frequently invited to provide keynote lectures and talks at law schools, universities, colleges, communities and other organizations all over the world. Rob is a fellow in the Right Livelihood College, a Lecturer at the Yale School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, and an Honorary Professor at the National University of Cordoba in Argentina. Rob also has received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from both Ohio State University and New College. · www.taftlaw.com · www.oneplanetpodcast.org · www.creativeprocess.info

Sustainability, Climate Change, Politics, Circular Economy & Environmental Solutions · One Planet Podcast

“It's kind of a scary thought. We've got these PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), you hear them now referred to as forever chemicals because these chemicals–none of these existed on the planet prior to World War II–they're fairly recent invention and they have this unique chemical structure that makes them incredibly useful in a lot of different products, manufacturing operations, but also that same chemical structure makes them incredibly persistent and incredibly difficult to break down once they get out into the environment, into the natural world, into our soil, into our water. They simply, many of them, particularly the ones with eight or more carbons in their structure, don't break down under natural conditions. Or it may take thousands or millions of years for those chemicals to start breaking down. But not only that. Once they get into us, they get into people, they tend to accumulate in our blood and build up over time. They not only persist, they bioaccumulate. Unfortunately, as the science has slowly been revealed to the world about what these chemicals can do, we are seeing that they can have all kinds of toxic effects And unfortunately, we're finding that those things can happen at lower and lower dose levels.”“I can't speak highly enough of Mark Ruffalo and what he was able to accomplish with the film. He just did an amazing job. He reached out to me after reading the story that appeared in The New York Times Magazine back in 2016 about this situation down in West Virginia along the Ohio River and was really shocked when he read about it because it was really highlighting an environmental contamination problem that had potentially nationwide, if not worldwide implications but that he had never heard of, and you know he was active in the environmental arena and active in water issues and was surprised that he had not heard of this before and really wanted to find a way to help bring the story out to a wider audience so that we could hopefully start seeing some change in the way type of situations not only develop but how we deal with them. He was able to team up with the folks at Participant Media, who, if you go on their website, and see the types of films they've produced are just incredible filmmakers. Teamed up with Todd Haynes who is an incredible director, and just a terrific cast. Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins and others. Really they were very dedicated to making sure they did the story and brought it to film in the right way, to show what really happened, not only legally and scientifically, but also to real people. What kind of impact these situations have on real people in real communities. What these people went through for 20 years in this community waiting for this process to unfold. So I think they did a tremendous job in taking a very complicated story that involves a lot of science and a lot of law and conveying it in a way that really impresses upon people why this is a story that matters to all of us and why this is a story that really is one that hopefully is inspiring because, as we discussed, it shows that things can be changed. Things that look impossible can be overcome.”Rob Bilott is a partner in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky offices of the law firm, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, where he has practiced in the Environmental and Litigation Practice Groups for over 31 years. During that time, Rob has handled and led some of the most novel and complex cases in the country involving damage from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), including the first individual, class action, mass tort, and multi-district litigation proceedings involving PFAS, recovering over $1 billion for clients impacted by the chemicals. In 2017, Rob received the Right Livelihood Award, known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” for his decades of work on behalf of those injured by PFAS chemical contamination. Rob is the author of the book, “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont,” and his story is the inspiration for the 2019 motion picture, “Dark Waters,” starring Mark Ruffalo as Rob. Rob's story and work is also featured in the documentary, “The Devil We Know.” Rob is a 1987 graduate of New College in Sarasota, Florida and a 1990 graduate of the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Rob also serves on the Boards of Less Cancer and Green Umbrella and is frequently invited to provide keynote lectures and talks at law schools, universities, colleges, communities and other organizations all over the world. Rob is a fellow in the Right Livelihood College, a Lecturer at the Yale School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, and an Honorary Professor at the National University of Cordoba in Argentina. Rob also has received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from both Ohio State University and New College. · www.taftlaw.com · www.oneplanetpodcast.org · www.creativeprocess.info

Social Justice & Activism · The Creative Process

“It's kind of a scary thought. We've got these PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), you hear them now referred to as forever chemicals because these chemicals–none of these existed on the planet prior to World War II–they're fairly recent invention and they have this unique chemical structure that makes them incredibly useful in a lot of different products, manufacturing operations, but also that same chemical structure makes them incredibly persistent and incredibly difficult to break down once they get out into the environment, into the natural world, into our soil, into our water. They simply, many of them, particularly the ones with eight or more carbons in their structure, don't break down under natural conditions. Or it may take thousands or millions of years for those chemicals to start breaking down. But not only that. Once they get into us, they get into people, they tend to accumulate in our blood and build up over time. They not only persist, they bioaccumulate. Unfortunately, as the science has slowly been revealed to the world about what these chemicals can do, we are seeing that they can have all kinds of toxic effects And unfortunately, we're finding that those things can happen at lower and lower dose levels.”“I can't speak highly enough of Mark Ruffalo and what he was able to accomplish with the film. He just did an amazing job. He reached out to me after reading the story that appeared in The New York Times Magazine back in 2016 about this situation down in West Virginia along the Ohio River and was really shocked when he read about it because it was really highlighting an environmental contamination problem that had potentially nationwide, if not worldwide implications but that he had never heard of, and you know he was active in the environmental arena and active in water issues and was surprised that he had not heard of this before and really wanted to find a way to help bring the story out to a wider audience so that we could hopefully start seeing some change in the way type of situations not only develop but how we deal with them. He was able to team up with the folks at Participant Media, who, if you go on their website, and see the types of films they've produced are just incredible filmmakers. Teamed up with Todd Haynes who is an incredible director, and just a terrific cast. Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins and others. Really they were very dedicated to making sure they did the story and brought it to film in the right way, to show what really happened, not only legally and scientifically, but also to real people. What kind of impact these situations have on real people in real communities. What these people went through for 20 years in this community waiting for this process to unfold. So I think they did a tremendous job in taking a very complicated story that involves a lot of science and a lot of law and conveying it in a way that really impresses upon people why this is a story that matters to all of us and why this is a story that really is one that hopefully is inspiring because, as we discussed, it shows that things can be changed. Things that look impossible can be overcome.”Rob Bilott is a partner in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky offices of the law firm, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, where he has practiced in the Environmental and Litigation Practice Groups for over 31 years. During that time, Rob has handled and led some of the most novel and complex cases in the country involving damage from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), including the first individual, class action, mass tort, and multi-district litigation proceedings involving PFAS, recovering over $1 billion for clients impacted by the chemicals. In 2017, Rob received the Right Livelihood Award, known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” for his decades of work on behalf of those injured by PFAS chemical contamination. Rob is the author of the book, “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont,” and his story is the inspiration for the 2019 motion picture, “Dark Waters,” starring Mark Ruffalo as Rob. Rob's story and work is also featured in the documentary, “The Devil We Know.” Rob is a 1987 graduate of New College in Sarasota, Florida and a 1990 graduate of the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Rob also serves on the Boards of Less Cancer and Green Umbrella and is frequently invited to provide keynote lectures and talks at law schools, universities, colleges, communities and other organizations all over the world. Rob is a fellow in the Right Livelihood College, a Lecturer at the Yale School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, and an Honorary Professor at the National University of Cordoba in Argentina. Rob also has received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from both Ohio State University and New College. · www.taftlaw.com · www.oneplanetpodcast.org · www.creativeprocess.info

Future Cities · Sustainability, Energy, Innovation, Climate Change, Transport, Housing, Work, Circular Economy, Education &

Rob Bilott is a partner in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky offices of the law firm, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, where he has practiced in the Environmental and Litigation Practice Groups for over 31 years. During that time, Rob has handled and led some of the most novel and complex cases in the country involving damage from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), including the first individual, class action, mass tort, and multi-district litigation proceedings involving PFAS, recovering over $1 billion for clients impacted by the chemicals. In 2017, Rob received the Right Livelihood Award, known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” for his decades of work on behalf of those injured by PFAS chemical contamination. Rob is the author of the book, “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont,” and his story is the inspiration for the 2019 motion picture, “Dark Waters,” starring Mark Ruffalo as Rob. Rob's story and work is also featured in the documentary, “The Devil We Know.” Rob is a 1987 graduate of New College in Sarasota, Florida and a 1990 graduate of the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Rob also serves on the Boards of Less Cancer and Green Umbrella and is frequently invited to provide keynote lectures and talks at law schools, universities, colleges, communities and other organizations all over the world. Rob is a fellow in the Right Livelihood College, a Lecturer at the Yale School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, and an Honorary Professor at the National University of Cordoba in Argentina. Rob also has received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from both Ohio State University and New College. · www.taftlaw.com · www.oneplanetpodcast.org · www.creativeprocess.info

Future Cities · Sustainability, Energy, Innovation, Climate Change, Transport, Housing, Work, Circular Economy, Education &

“It's kind of a scary thought. We've got these PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), you hear them now referred to as forever chemicals because these chemicals–none of these existed on the planet prior to World War II–they're fairly recent invention and they have this unique chemical structure that makes them incredibly useful in a lot of different products, manufacturing operations, but also that same chemical structure makes them incredibly persistent and incredibly difficult to break down once they get out into the environment, into the natural world, into our soil, into our water. They simply, many of them, particularly the ones with eight or more carbons in their structure, don't break down under natural conditions. Or it may take thousands or millions of years for those chemicals to start breaking down. But not only that. Once they get into us, they get into people, they tend to accumulate in our blood and build up over time. They not only persist, they bioaccumulate. Unfortunately, as the science has slowly been revealed to the world about what these chemicals can do, we are seeing that they can have all kinds of toxic effects And unfortunately, we're finding that those things can happen at lower and lower dose levels.”“I can't speak highly enough of Mark Ruffalo and what he was able to accomplish with the film. He just did an amazing job. He reached out to me after reading the story that appeared in The New York Times Magazine back in 2016 about this situation down in West Virginia along the Ohio River and was really shocked when he read about it because it was really highlighting an environmental contamination problem that had potentially nationwide, if not worldwide implications but that he had never heard of, and you know he was active in the environmental arena and active in water issues and was surprised that he had not heard of this before and really wanted to find a way to help bring the story out to a wider audience so that we could hopefully start seeing some change in the way type of situations not only develop but how we deal with them. He was able to team up with the folks at Participant Media, who, if you go on their website, and see the types of films they've produced are just incredible filmmakers. Teamed up with Todd Haynes who is an incredible director, and just a terrific cast. Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins and others. Really they were very dedicated to making sure they did the story and brought it to film in the right way, to show what really happened, not only legally and scientifically, but also to real people. What kind of impact these situations have on real people in real communities. What these people went through for 20 years in this community waiting for this process to unfold. So I think they did a tremendous job in taking a very complicated story that involves a lot of science and a lot of law and conveying it in a way that really impresses upon people why this is a story that matters to all of us and why this is a story that really is one that hopefully is inspiring because, as we discussed, it shows that things can be changed. Things that look impossible can be overcome.”Rob Bilott is a partner in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky offices of the law firm, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, where he has practiced in the Environmental and Litigation Practice Groups for over 31 years. During that time, Rob has handled and led some of the most novel and complex cases in the country involving damage from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), including the first individual, class action, mass tort, and multi-district litigation proceedings involving PFAS, recovering over $1 billion for clients impacted by the chemicals. In 2017, Rob received the Right Livelihood Award, known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” for his decades of work on behalf of those injured by PFAS chemical contamination. Rob is the author of the book, “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont,” and his story is the inspiration for the 2019 motion picture, “Dark Waters,” starring Mark Ruffalo as Rob. Rob's story and work is also featured in the documentary, “The Devil We Know.” Rob is a 1987 graduate of New College in Sarasota, Florida and a 1990 graduate of the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Rob also serves on the Boards of Less Cancer and Green Umbrella and is frequently invited to provide keynote lectures and talks at law schools, universities, colleges, communities and other organizations all over the world. Rob is a fellow in the Right Livelihood College, a Lecturer at the Yale School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, and an Honorary Professor at the National University of Cordoba in Argentina. Rob also has received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from both Ohio State University and New College. · www.taftlaw.com · www.oneplanetpodcast.org · www.creativeprocess.info

The Creative Process in 10 minutes or less · Arts, Culture & Society

“It's kind of a scary thought. We've got these PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), you hear them now referred to as forever chemicals because these chemicals–none of these existed on the planet prior to World War II–they're fairly recent invention and they have this unique chemical structure that makes them incredibly useful in a lot of different products, manufacturing operations, but also that same chemical structure makes them incredibly persistent and incredibly difficult to break down once they get out into the environment, into the natural world, into our soil, into our water. They simply, many of them, particularly the ones with eight or more carbons in their structure, don't break down under natural conditions. Or it may take thousands or millions of years for those chemicals to start breaking down. But not only that. Once they get into us, they get into people, they tend to accumulate in our blood and build up over time. They not only persist, they bioaccumulate. Unfortunately, as the science has slowly been revealed to the world about what these chemicals can do, we are seeing that they can have all kinds of toxic effects And unfortunately, we're finding that those things can happen at lower and lower dose levels.”“I can't speak highly enough of Mark Ruffalo and what he was able to accomplish with the film. He just did an amazing job. He reached out to me after reading the story that appeared in The New York Times Magazine back in 2016 about this situation down in West Virginia along the Ohio River and was really shocked when he read about it because it was really highlighting an environmental contamination problem that had potentially nationwide, if not worldwide implications but that he had never heard of, and you know he was active in the environmental arena and active in water issues and was surprised that he had not heard of this before and really wanted to find a way to help bring the story out to a wider audience so that we could hopefully start seeing some change in the way type of situations not only develop but how we deal with them. He was able to team up with the folks at Participant Media, who, if you go on their website, and see the types of films they've produced are just incredible filmmakers. Teamed up with Todd Haynes who is an incredible director, and just a terrific cast. Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins and others. Really they were very dedicated to making sure they did the story and brought it to film in the right way, to show what really happened, not only legally and scientifically, but also to real people. What kind of impact these situations have on real people in real communities. What these people went through for 20 years in this community waiting for this process to unfold. So I think they did a tremendous job in taking a very complicated story that involves a lot of science and a lot of law and conveying it in a way that really impresses upon people why this is a story that matters to all of us and why this is a story that really is one that hopefully is inspiring because, as we discussed, it shows that things can be changed. Things that look impossible can be overcome.”Rob Bilott is a partner in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky offices of the law firm, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, where he has practiced in the Environmental and Litigation Practice Groups for over 31 years. During that time, Rob has handled and led some of the most novel and complex cases in the country involving damage from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), including the first individual, class action, mass tort, and multi-district litigation proceedings involving PFAS, recovering over $1 billion for clients impacted by the chemicals. In 2017, Rob received the Right Livelihood Award, known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” for his decades of work on behalf of those injured by PFAS chemical contamination. Rob is the author of the book, “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont,” and his story is the inspiration for the 2019 motion picture, “Dark Waters,” starring Mark Ruffalo as Rob. Rob's story and work is also featured in the documentary, “The Devil We Know.” Rob is a 1987 graduate of New College in Sarasota, Florida and a 1990 graduate of the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Rob also serves on the Boards of Less Cancer and Green Umbrella and is frequently invited to provide keynote lectures and talks at law schools, universities, colleges, communities and other organizations all over the world. Rob is a fellow in the Right Livelihood College, a Lecturer at the Yale School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, and an Honorary Professor at the National University of Cordoba in Argentina. Rob also has received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from both Ohio State University and New College. · www.taftlaw.com · www.oneplanetpodcast.org · www.creativeprocess.info

Public Health Insight
How A Corporate Defense Lawyer Changed Public Health ft. Rob Bilott

Public Health Insight

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2022 54:41


If public health is a population-based field of science for preventing diseases and promoting health, what can a corporate defense attorney possibly do to positively influence the health of millions of people? Discovering the impacts of toxic chemicals on a community and holding chemical companies accountable for their actions is a good place to start. Understanding the intersection of science, regulatory processes, and law is of critical importance to ensuring an environment that preserves the health of humans and animals.In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, we spoke to Rob Bilott, Partner and internationally-recognized Attorney at Taft Law Firm, about his work in uncovering the public health impact of forever chemicals, advocating for environmental justice through the practice of law, and his book, Exposure, which was adapted into a film called Dark Waters.Podcast GuestRob BilottPodcast HostsGordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®Purva Mehta, BMSc, MScBindra Shah, BMSc, MPHReferences for Our Discussion[Book] Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle against DuPont[Movie] Dark Waters[Documentary] The Devil We KnowSubscribe to the NewsletterWhat if there was an easy way to receive timely information about public health and global health right to your inbox? Subscribe to the newsletter to stay in the loop about the latest news, live events, jobs, and professional development opportunities. Subscribe to ensure you don't miss out: https://thepublichealthinsight.com/subscribe/.Leave Us a RatingIf you enjoy our podcasts, be sure to subscribe and leave us a rating on Apple Podcast or Spotify, and spread the word to your friends to help us get discovered by more people.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/PHInsight)

Go Green Radio
Encore The Most Up to Date Information on PFAS from Rob Bilott

Go Green Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2022 53:34


Rob Bilott's 20-year legal battle with DuPont exposed a dangerous chemical that no one knew existed outside the companies that manufactured it. PFAS is a family of man-made chemicals that are known to cause serious human health impacts, and in recent months much has happened in public policy and litigation to address PFAS. Tune in as we talk with Rob Bilott about his book, Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle against DuPont, and the latest news on “forever chemicals.”

Go Green Radio
Encore The Most Up to Date Information on PFAS from Rob Bilott

Go Green Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2022 53:34


Rob Bilott's 20-year legal battle with DuPont exposed a dangerous chemical that no one knew existed outside the companies that manufactured it. PFAS is a family of man-made chemicals that are known to cause serious human health impacts, and in recent months much has happened in public policy and litigation to address PFAS. Tune in as we talk with Rob Bilott about his book, Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle against DuPont, and the latest news on “forever chemicals.”

Public Health Insight
Dark Waters Movie Review: The Impact of ‘Forever Chemicals' in Our Environment

Public Health Insight

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2022 45:58


What happens when a corporate defence attorney goes from representing large powerful chemical manufacturing companies to fighting against them after learning that their environmental toxic waste was connected to a growing number of unexplained diseases and deaths in animals and humans? In this episode of Rewind, a new limited series by the Public Health Insight Podcast, we take a closer look at Dark Waters - a movie released in 2019, featuring the true story of Rob Bilott, played by actor Mark Ruffalo.Podcast HostsGordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®Leshawn Benedict, MPH, MSc, PMP®Purva Mehta, BMSc, MScJawairia Mohammed, HBScBindra Shah, BMSc, MPHReferences for Our Discussion Dark Waters (2019) available on Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Crave/HBOVox: How “forever chemicals” polluted America's waterNew York Times: The Lawyer Who Became DuPont's Worst NightmareSubscribe to the NewsletterWhat if there was an easy way to receive timely information about public health and global health right to your inbox? Subscribe to the newsletter to stay in the loop about the latest news, live events, jobs, and professional development opportunities. Subscribe to ensure you don't miss out: https://thepublichealthinsight.com/subscribe/.Office HoursIf you are a current student, recent graduate, or early career professional looking for some support and guidance for the next steps in your education or to grow your career, schedule a free 30-minute or 60-minute one-on-one appointment here: https://thepublichealthinsight.com/contact#officehours. Leave Us a RatingIf you enjoy our podcasts, be sure to subscribe and leave us a rating on Apple Podcast or Spotify, and spread the word to your friends to help us get discovered by more people.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/PHInsight)

She's an Engineer
Special Topic: PFAS Contamination

She's an Engineer

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2021 46:43


In this episode, we discuss the Tennant vs DuPont case, as outlined by the book, Exposure by Rob Bilott, as it relates to PFAS contamination and evaluation by the EPA. This topic was also covered by the movie, Dark Waters (which we would highly recommend!)

Go Green Radio
Encore The Most Up to Date Information on PFAS from Rob Bilott

Go Green Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2021 53:34


Rob Bilott's 20-year legal battle with DuPont exposed a dangerous chemical that no one knew existed outside the companies that manufactured it. PFAS is a family of man-made chemicals that are known to cause serious human health impacts, and in recent months much has happened in public policy and litigation to address PFAS. Tune in as we talk with Rob Bilott about the latest news on “forever chemicals.”

Go Green Radio
Encore The Most Up to Date Information on PFAS from Rob Bilott

Go Green Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2021 53:34


Rob Bilott's 20-year legal battle with DuPont exposed a dangerous chemical that no one knew existed outside the companies that manufactured it. PFAS is a family of man-made chemicals that are known to cause serious human health impacts, and in recent months much has happened in public policy and litigation to address PFAS. Tune in as we talk with Rob Bilott about the latest news on “forever chemicals.”

Go Green Radio
The Most Up to Date Information on PFAS from Rob Bilott

Go Green Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2021 53:34


Rob Bilott's 20-year legal battle with DuPont exposed a dangerous chemical that no one knew existed outside the companies that manufactured it. PFAS is a family of man-made chemicals that are known to cause serious human health impacts, and in recent months much has happened in public policy and litigation to address PFAS. Tune in as we talk with Rob Bilott about his book, Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle against DuPont, and the latest news on “forever chemicals.”

Go Green Radio
The Most Up to Date Information on PFAS from Rob Bilott

Go Green Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2021 53:34


Rob Bilott's 20-year legal battle with DuPont exposed a dangerous chemical that no one knew existed outside the companies that manufactured it. PFAS is a family of man-made chemicals that are known to cause serious human health impacts, and in recent months much has happened in public policy and litigation to address PFAS. Tune in as we talk with Rob Bilott about his book, Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle against DuPont, and the latest news on “forever chemicals.”

Beat the Big Guys
Your Patience Will Be Rewarded With Making The World a Better Place - Rob Bilott

Beat the Big Guys

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2021 45:39


Robert Bilott (Cincinnati, OH), author of Poisoned Water––also the subject of the major motion picture Dark Waters starring Mark Ruffalo––talks with Sandy about his battle to expose Dupont's contamination of drinking water in West Virginia and its attempts to cover it up.Beat the Big GuysHost: Sandy Rosenthalhttps://www.sandyrosenthal.netProducer: Jess Branashttps://www.branasenterprises.com

Positive: The Resilient Road

As humans we are hardwired to have belief in systems. But what does it take to go against those systems when they are in the wrong?In this episode we hear the brave and enduring story of Rob Bilott, a lawyer from Ohio who spent decades in legal battles with DuPont over contaminated drinking water. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

ohio dupont robert bilott rob bilott
Slam the Gavel
Attorney Rob Bilott Discusses His Book, Exposure And Film Dark Waters, The Tennant Case And The Awareness of PFOA and PFAS Chemicals That Will Haunt Us Forever

Slam the Gavel

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2021 52:11


    Slam the Gavel welcomes Attorney Rob Bilott, as his book Exposure is not only well-written, with very smooth prose but a testimony to tenacity and perseverance. A large corporation, namely Dupont continuously withheld valuable information regarding highly destructive and toxic "forever chemicals" information from a certain curious attorney.    In discussing his journey, making his way through the webs of deceit, and finally finding out everything he needed to know in order to help his fellow man, only one thing set him aside from the average individual: perseverance.     Attorney Rob Bilott's persistence to seek the facts throughout his never ending struggle hung in the balance entailing not only risking his career and his family's future but most importantly his own life.     Though he continued to search for the truth while pulling out the history of Dupont and having to go through court dates being pushed back as well as setbacks should be a lesson to us all to never surrender in the face of adversity even when it takes decades.    Later in 2017, Rob Bilott received the International Right Livelihood Award which is the equivalent to "The Nobel Prize" for his decades of hard work on PFAS chemical contamination issues and was also featured on a stamp that was issued in Austria commemorating this exemplary award.     Since writing the book Exposure it was then followed up by the film Dark Waters in 2019 starring Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway and Tim Robbins.    Today, Attorney Bilott is still here and is still working at Taft Stettinius & Hollister, LLP.     Attorney Rob Bilott, a true inspiration to us all to never give up whatever the circumstances may be.http://www.dismantlingfamilycourtcorruption.com/Music provided by: mictechmusic@yahoo.comSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/maryannpetri)

Slam the Gavel
Attorney Rob Bilott Discusses His Book, Exposure and Film Dark Waters, The Tennant Case And The Awareness of PFOA and PFAS Chemicals That Will Haunt Us Forever

Slam the Gavel

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2021 52:11


Slam the Gavel welcomes Attorney Rob Bilott, as his book Exposure is not only well-written, with very smooth prose but a testimony to tenacity and perseverance. A large corporation, namely Dupont continuously withheld valuable information regarding highly destructive and toxic "forever chemicals" information from a certain curious attorney. In discussing his journey, making his way through the webs of deceit, and finally finding out everything he needed to know in order to help his fellow man, only one thing set him aside from the average individual: perseverance. Attorney Rob Bilott's persistence to seek the facts throughout his never ending struggle hung in the balance entailing not only risking his career and his family's future but most importantly his own life. Though he continued to search for the truth while pulling out the history of Dupont and having to go through court dates being pushed back as well as setbacks should be a lesson to us all to never surrender in the face of adversity even when it takes decades. Later in 2017, Rob Bilott received the International Right Livelihood Award which is the equivalent to "The Nobel Prize" for his decades of hard work on PFAS chemical contamination issues and was also featured on a stamp that was issued in Austria commemorating this exemplary award. Since writing the book Exposure it was then followed up by the film Dark Waters in 2019 starring Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway and Tim Robbins. Today, Attorney Bilott is still here and is still working at Taft Stettinius & Hollister, LLP. Attorney Rob Bilott, a true inspiration to us all to never give up whatever the circumstances may be. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/maryannpetri)

Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics
@theBar : The Dark Waters Edition: A Discussion with Environmental Attorney Rob Bilott

Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics

Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2021 64:52


Rob Bilott, the renowned attorney leading the fight against the spread of deadly “forever chemicals,” the author of acclaimed memoir “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont,” and the subject of the 2019 legal thriller “Dark Waters,” sits down with host Jonathan Amarilio to discuss his struggle on behalf of tens of thousands of poisoned Ohio and West Virginia residents and his ongoing efforts to stop the use of toxins that have contaminated nearly all of humanity. Special thanks to our sponsors, CourtFiling.net.

ABA Journal Podcasts - Legal Talk Network
@theBar : The Dark Waters Edition: A Discussion with Environmental Attorney Rob Bilott

ABA Journal Podcasts - Legal Talk Network

Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2021 64:52


Rob Bilott, the renowned attorney leading the fight against the spread of deadly “forever chemicals,” the author of acclaimed memoir “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont,” and the subject of the 2019 legal thriller “Dark Waters,” sits down with host Jonathan Amarilio to discuss his struggle on behalf of tens of thousands of poisoned Ohio and West Virginia residents and his ongoing efforts to stop the use of toxins that have contaminated nearly all of humanity. Special thanks to our sponsors, CourtFiling.net.

@theBar
The Dark Waters Edition: A Discussion with Environmental Attorney Rob Bilott

@theBar

Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2021 64:52


Rob Bilott, the renowned attorney leading the fight against the spread of deadly “forever chemicals,” the author of acclaimed memoir “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont,” and the subject of the 2019 legal thriller “Dark Waters,” sits down with host Jonathan Amarilio to discuss his struggle on behalf of tens of thousands of poisoned Ohio and West Virginia residents and his ongoing efforts to stop the use of toxins that have contaminated nearly all of humanity. Special thanks to our sponsors, CourtFiling.net.

RFK Jr The Defender Podcast
Confidential Chemicals and Teflon with Rob Bilott and David Whiteside

RFK Jr The Defender Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2021 35:37


Rob Bilott uncovered the most heinous corporate environmental conspiracy in history. Mark Ruffalo plays Bilott in the new film, Dark Waters. David Whiteside is suing The 3M Company with his nonprofit organization Tennessee Riverkeeper. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rfkjr/message

Dnext
Dnext DARK WATERS

Dnext

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2021 39:22


Rob Bilott on Participant Media's DARK WATERS. Dark Waters is a 2019 American legal thriller film directed by Todd Haynes and written by Mario Correa and Matthew Michael Carnahan. The story dramatizes Robert Bilott's case against the chemical manufacturing corporation DuPont after they contaminated a town with unregulated chemicals.

The Curiosity Hour Podcast
Episode 158 - Rob Bilott, JD (The Curiosity Hour Podcast by Dan Sterenchuk and Tommy Estlund)

The Curiosity Hour Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2020 58:21


Episode 158 - Rob Bilott, JD. Dan Sterenchuk and Tommy Estlund are honored to have as our guest, Rob Bilott, JD. Rob Bilott, Partner, Taft Law, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, Cincinnati, OH. Rob is a partner in Taft's Environmental, Litigation, and Product Liability and Personal Injury groups. For more than 29 years, Rob has handled a wide variety of highly complex environmental matters and related toxic tort litigation for a diverse array of clients, including the nation's first cases involving PFAS drinking water contamination. To date, Rob has secured benefits in excess of $1 Billion for clients impacted by PFAS contamination, including through key leadership positions in the nation's first class action, personal injury, medical monitoring, and multi-district litigations and trials. In 2017, Rob received the international Right Livelihood Award, also known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” for his decades of work on PFAS issues. Rob is the author of the book, “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle against DuPont,” and his story is the inspiration for the motion picture, “Dark Waters” from Participant Media and Focus Features, starring Mark Ruffalo as Rob. His story is also featured in the documentary available on Netflix, “The Devil We Know.” Rob is a graduate of New College in Sarasota, Florida and has a Juris Doctor degree from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. LINKS: https://www.taftlaw.com/people/robert-a-bilott https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Exposure/Robert-Bilott/9781501172823 https://www.focusfeatures.com/dark-waters https://thedevilweknow.com/ https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/10/magazine/the-lawyer-who-became-duponts-worst-nightmare.html https://www.rightlivelihoodaward.org/laureates/robert-bilott/ Note: Guests create their own bio description for each episode. The Public Service Announcement near the beginning of the episode solely represents the views of Tommy and Dan and not our guests or our listeners. The Curiosity Hour Podcast is hosted and produced by Dan Sterenchuk and Tommy Estlund. Please visit our website for more information: thecuriosityhourpodcast.com The Curiosity Hour Podcast is listener supported! To donate, click here: thecuriosityhourpodcast.com/donate/ Please visit this page for information where you can listen to our podcast: thecuriosityhourpodcast.com/listen/ Disclaimers: The Curiosity Hour Podcast may contain content not suitable for all audiences. Listener discretion advised. The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are solely those of the guest(s). These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of The Curiosity Hour Podcast. This podcast may contain explicit language.

waterloop
waterloop #20: Rob Bilott on His 20-Year Battle to Expose the Dangers of PFAS

waterloop

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2020


Rob Bilott is an environmental attorney and author of Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle against DuPont. In this episode Rob details his two-decade legal fight to reveal the harm done by PFAS to people in Parkersburg, W.V. and to call widespread attention to the unique threat the “forever chemicals” pose to human health. He discusses how it feels to be the person most responsible for revealing the dangers of PFAS and the value of having the film Dark Waters and its star Mark Ruffalo highlight the story for the masses. Rob says that his work is not over and he is pursuing class-action status for everyone in the United States who has been exposed to PFAS. This episode of waterloop is brought to you by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart, stylish choice for conserving water, energy, and money while enjoying an invigorating shower. Use promo code waterloop for 20 percent off at www.highsierrashowerheads.com

To the '90s and Beyond! Film Podcast
Dark Waters (2019) | Todd Haynes

To the '90s and Beyond! Film Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2019 18:08


Dark Waters is a film based on the true story of a corporate lawyer who ends up taking on DuPont Chemical. The origin of the screenplay originated from a Nathaniel Rich expose on attorney Rob Billott in The New York Times Magazine published in January of 2016 entitled, "The Lawyer Who Became DuPont's Worst Nightmare." The story detailed a crusading corporate attorney who went back to his hometown to take on the polluters who were destroying it. Actor and environmental activist Mark Ruffalo read the article and thought it would make for a compelling movie, optioning the rights and serving as a producer for the project. Ruffalo gives a deliberately dry and restrained performance as Rob Bilott, an attorney working for a successful and conservative-minded Cincinnati-based firm of corporate lawyers. Every step of the way smacks of reluctance that holds him back, but a stronger conscience that drives him forward. His skills for protecting corporations are put to the test after a cattle farmer from his small home town in West Virginia approaches him, imploring him to look into why his livestock is diseased and their offspring born with severe congenital disabilities. He and his family might be getting cancer due to their exposure as well. Anne Hathaway and Tim Robbins co-star. Todd Haynes directs.