WFPL's Energy & Environment Reporter Ryan VanVeltzer tweets:
"Kentucky officials hid the extent of PFAS pollution in Henderson and downplayed the pollution in statements to @WFPLNews in August. While the public remained in the dark, state officials communicated privately with the company about PFAS levels and impacts."
From his report:
"In June 2020, Kentucky's Department for Environmental Protection sent an inspector to investigate a Teflon recycling company in western Kentucky.
. . .
"WFPL and APM Reports learned of the inspection and other state actions after reviewing thousands of pages of city, state and company records outlining Shamrock's forever chemical pollution in Henderson. The investigation has found:
• State officials hid from the public the extent of PFAS pollution in Henderson, failed to inform residents and businesses near heavily contaminated areas, and downplayed the pollution in statements to WFPL in August. While the public remained in the dark, state officials communicated privately with the company about PFAS levels and impacts.
• Shamrock denied wrongdoing, used an attorney and consultant to push back on violations and tried to pressure state officials into allowing even more PFAS air pollution.
• The Energy and Environment Cabinet initially denied to WFPL in August that Shamrock violated state wastewater standards. Documents obtained through records requests confirmed the company had received a notice of violation. State officials said the initial denial was an 'oversight.'
State and local officials didn't begin to inform the public about the widespread PFAS pollution in Henderson until WFPL News and APM Reports broke a series of stories beginning in August. We reported state officials found "very high and concerning" levels of PFAS at Shamrock's facilities, then reported the company found the chemicals in nearly every sample taken in Henderson neighborhoods where thousands live, work and play. As a result of the groundwater pollution, Henderson lost a $100 million business opportunity."
