Erin Brockovich assisting in an class action against the Australian government
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382542)
Rockingham, Australia
October 29, 2019 12:30am CST
The big news today in Australia is that Erin Brockovich is backing what could become, if it goes ahead, the biggest class action that Australia has ever seen.
Up to 40,000 Australians may soon be suing the government over PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) which are manufactured chemicals used in many common household products. PFAS is also described as a ‘collection of synthetic compounds’. It is fire retardant and very effective at extinguishing jet fuel fires and it is in this regard that most protest is occurring.
From the 1970s to the 2000s, significant amounts of PFAS have been used on Defence bases throughout Australia, in the form of fire-fighting foam. PFAS has leached into the environment and is now in creeks and rivers. This contamination has a devastating effect on communities, many discovering that they can’t sell and relocate as they are unable to sell their properties.
Countries including Germany, Britain and the US have confirmed links between PFAS and such diseases as testicular cancer, kidney cancer, thyroid disease, thyroid cancer but these links are denied by Australia.
The photo is one of my favourite outback photos
18 people like this
18 responses
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
29 Oct 19
i wish the best 'f luck. such's not turnin' out well here'n the u.s. there's a dairy farm that 'twas contaminated - all 5 'f his wells 've tested positive fer that poison. no tellin's how long such 'twas, how many millions 'f gallons 'f milk sold to'n unknowin' public. 'tis 'ffected farmlands, too. can't get an answer 's to how far such's moved through the aquifer. 'tis horrifyin'.
i can see why this'd be a fav 'f yers! most serene 'n peaceful.
3 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
30 Oct 19
@JudyEv that here's seeped 'nto the aquifer, thus wells're turnin' 'p contaminated. like there, they've been usin' fer fer o'er 40 years. the lands the dairy fella bought 'tis now worthless. his cows're still milked daily 'n such poured out. which makes no sense coz that jest adds more contamination.
i shudder to think 'f the long term troubles this's causin' to our waters 'n the lands. one's got'ta irrigate here, usin' wells dug 'nto the aquifer. seems thus far, 'tis jest 'bout a 5 mile swatch? 'tis hard to get 'xact numbers 'n predictions 'f how quickly such'll spread. the government needs to get 't cleaned'p, though i dunno if'n such's e'en possible.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382542)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Oct 19
@crazyhorseladycx It seems there has been a massive problem created there. I'm not sure it's quite so bad here yet but it is certainly heading that way.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
29 Oct 19
She came to our town and to one in the next state when PFOAs polluted the water. Not sure whatever became of it. I know that the water system was improved. Still have problems in the town in the next state as far as I know.
3 people like this
@1hopefulman (45111)
• Canada
29 Oct 19
That is a terrible situation that has been caused! 
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45111)
• Canada
31 Oct 19
@JudyEv It is very sad when those responsible care very little for people's health and lives.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (502812)
• Italy
29 Oct 19
It is sad to notice how the governments keep their mouth shut when they are guilty of polluting with dangerous substance. I know the name of this lawyer, I have watched a great movie with Julia Roberts (title Erin Brockovich), you should watch it if you have not yet.
2 people like this
@yoalldudes (35028)
• Philippines
29 Oct 19
This may start the filming of Erin Brokovich Chapter 2. Her work is amazing.
3 people like this
@JESSY3236 (22287)
• United States
29 Oct 19
Cool. She was a great paralegal. pretty picture.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
29 Oct 19
This is a good cause that she is fighting for. Definitely she would get a lot of public support.
I watched the movie based on her life where Julia Roberts played her character. Wow, I admired her. 
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
2 Nov 19
@JudyEv Oh! It was. I watched it few times.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
29 Oct 19
sad to hear both parts of this. I feel bad for those impacted.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
30 Oct 19
@JudyEv that is the hardest part of things like that.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (209167)
• United States
29 Oct 19
Good to hear Erin is at it again!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382542)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Oct 19
She doesn't rest, does she? I'm sure the Australians she is helping are very grateful for her expertise.
@changjiangzhibin89 (17244)
• China
29 Oct 19
That contamination is of concern to you all indeed ! It is a fabulous photo !
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91169)
• United States
29 Oct 19
It's scary to think what we've been exposed to isn't it
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382542)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Oct 19
So true and over so many years. No one ever bothered to really test some of these things. I guess in fairness the negatives didn't always appear immediately.
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
29 Oct 19
Too sad for the environment; and also for the people who are affected by such deadly chemicals.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382542)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Oct 19
Many of these chemicals haven't been properly tested.
