Episode 27

Don Kimball was a non-commissioned officer, stationed on Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire from 1977-1981, at a time when they were frequently using a firefighting foam (AFFF),  which we now know to be full of PFAS.  

Today, Don is the producer and host of a radio program called Friendly Fire: A Voice For Veterans where he frequently tackles thorny issues like chemical exposures and toxic PFAS testing for veterans.  

Don participated in the recent PFAS study conducted with former Pease AFB members. The PFAS Exchange can help participants to make sense of their results. A map of  PFAS Contamination of water and military sites in the US demonstrates how far reaching this issue is, particularly on military bases. 
Don recommends people interested in the subject explore two websites: Civilian Exposure and Military Poisons. ​

A member of the Maine Veterans for Peace, Don views social and environmental justice issues in a global context.  Did you know that the number one entity for consuming fossil fuels, thus contributing to global climate change on the planet, is the US Department of Defense?  Don invites interested parties to join an upcoming climate change action in Boston on Nov 16th at 11 AM  to protest Chase Bank's investment in fossil fuels, in solidarity with the COP 27 conference in Egypt. 

Play audio, below:

Episode 14
​
​Jaime and Ayesha, best friends since college, started the Nantucket PFAS Action Group after learning that Ayesha's husband, Nate Barber, had contracted testicular cancer, likely from workplace exposures to PFAS.  Their desire to better understand how firefighters were being impacted led them to create a study, funded by TURI, to measure PFAS levels in fire service professional's turnout gear.

Ayesha and Jaime may be new to the PFAS activist roles they have assumed, but they are unstoppable and have some recommendations of good places to start learning more about PFAS.
Start here:
1. The PFAS Exchange. Community driven resources backed by excellent research and links. And it includes a tool for water testing comparisons regarding PFAS exposure.
2. Green Science offers PFAS research and policy advocacy. 
3. PFAS-Free PPE Turnout Gear for firefighters. 

​Play audio, below: