Department of Sociology and Anthropology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Sociol Health Illn. 2021 Mar;43(3):764-778. doi: 10.1111/1467-9566.13253. Epub 2021 Feb 26.
Over the past decade, there has been widespread concern about environmental contamination linked to an emerging class of compounds known as PFAS [Poly- and per-fluorinated alkyl substances]. PFAS contamination has been found in drinking water across the United States. Despite the increased interest within the scientific community, little research has been conducted on community environmental health concerns related to this emerging contaminant. This article analyses the case of PFAS water contamination in eastern North Carolina stemming from industrial production. Drawing from in-depth interviews, newspaper articles and government documents, we examine how uncertainty has permeated the case and influenced both official and community responses. Specifically, we analyse corporate and political officials' production of "coerced ignorance" surrounding PFAS and residents' perception of environmental and health concerns under conditions of uncertainty. Implications for future research on PFAS contamination and other emerging contaminants are discussed.
在过去的十年中，人们普遍关注与一类新兴化合物有关的环境污染问题，这类化合物被称为 PFAS（多氟和全氟烷基物质）。在美国各地的饮用水中都发现了 PFAS 污染。尽管科学界对此越来越感兴趣，但针对与这种新兴污染物有关的社区环境健康问题的研究却很少。本文分析了北卡罗来纳州东部因工业生产而导致的 PFAS 水污染案例。本文通过深入访谈、报纸文章和政府文件，考察了不确定性是如何渗透到这一案例并影响官方和社区的应对措施的。具体来说，我们分析了公司和政治官员在 PFAS 问题上制造的“被迫无知”以及居民在不确定性条件下对环境和健康问题的看法。本文还讨论了未来关于 PFAS 污染和其他新兴污染物的研究的意义。
