In today’s episode, Ken is joined by two guests, Diane Cotter and Peter Arlein who both came into environmentalism as a way to protect their families, friends, and communities from toxic ‘forever chemicals.’

Worcester, MA native Diane, wife of firefighter Paul Cotter, plunged into the PFAS rabbit hole when she questioned whether Paul’s exposure to the chemicals contributed to his prostate cancer. Her relentless pursuit for the truth revealed numerous sick firefighters and afflicted firefighter communities nationwide.

Former ski-shop wax tech Peter took matters into his own hands by creating the Colorado-based company MountainFlo dedicated to making ski wax and bicycle lubricants without PFAS and petroleum, to protect the Rocky Mountains he cherishes and the outdoor sports community he belongs to.

Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:

Peter’s Company: Mountain Flow & Mountain Flow Take Back Program

Diane’s Documentary Burned: Protecting the Protectors

What are PFAS chemicals?

Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.

@kencookspodcast

www.ewg.org

@environmentalworkinggroup

When buying or eating food, we don’t often think about the chemicals used in weed killers…but we should. In today’s episode, we go in-depth with Carey Gillam, Managing Editor of The New Lede, EWG’s journalism initiative, and the widely used commercial toxic pesticides found in weed killers. Ken and Carey discuss their link to Parkinson's, non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, and childhood leukemia, and her ground-breaking investigations that have exposed corporations like Monsanto and Syngenta that have concealed health risks from the public for decades.

Earlier this month, EWG partnered with California assembly member Laura Friedman to introduce Assembly Bill 1963 which would end the use of Paraquat on fields and orchards in California by January 2026. The passing of this bill could enormously impact the lives and the health of California’s farmworkers, their families, and agricultural communities across the state.

Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:

Secret “Paraquat Papers” reveal corporate tactics to protect weed killer linked to parkinson’s disease

Toxic Weed Killer Found in Breast Milk, Infant Formula

The New Lede’s ‘Paraquat Papers’ scoop recognized by agriculture journalists

Cary Gillam’s Website

Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.

@kencookspodcast

www.ewg.org

@environmentalworkinggroup

For decades the American people have been exposed to toxic forever chemicals known as PFAS with no protection from our government.

Until now… In today’s monumental episode, Ken travels to Fayetteville, North Carolina to join the EPA as they announce the first-ever legal limit on PFAS in the drinking water of tens of millions of Americans.

In anticipation of this announcement, Ken spoke with environmental attorney, Rob Bilott, who has worked tirelessly for 25 years to make this legal limit on PFAS possible.

Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:

The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare

Dark Waters featuring Mark Ruffalo

The Devil We Know

EPA Says ‘Forever Chemicals’ Must Be Removed From Tap Water

Ruffalo: PFAS drinking water standard delivers justice to poisoned communities

Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.

@kencookspodcast

www.ewg.org

@environmentalworkinggroup