Stuff They Don't Want You To Know CLASSIC: Interview: Dark Waters: Corporations, Corruption and Pollution with Rob Bilott
Apr 8, 2025
Rob Bilott, a corporate defense lawyer turned environmental advocate, reveals his journey to expose DuPont's long-standing chemical pollution. He shares harrowing tales from West Virginia farmers, including the tragic effects on livestock. Bilott discusses the challenges of confronting corporate negligence and unveils shocking evidence of PFOA's dangers. The conversation emphasizes the importance of accountability, community activism, and resilience in the face of environmental corruption, making it a gripping testament to the fight for justice.
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The Initial Call
- In 1998, Rob Bilott received a call from Wilbur Tennant about dying livestock.
- Tennant, whose farm was near Bilott's grandmother's friend, suspected DuPont was responsible.
Chemical Regulation
- Chemical regulation is complex and relatively new, with the EPA established in 1970.
- Many chemicals, like PFOA, predate regulations or slipped through the system.
Taking the Case
- Bilott's firm took Tennant's case on contingency, expecting a straightforward lawsuit.
- Discovering the unregulated chemical PFOA revealed a much larger issue.
