Kris Hansen ’91 is helping to uncover the dangers of forever chemicals in our rivers and other places.

In April, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized two historic regulations of forever chemicals, which are found in countless everyday products. Marking this moment, Kris Hansen ’91 speaks with The New Yorker (paywall for non-subscribers) about her efforts to expose PFOs (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate or Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid) as forever chemicals at the multinational conglomerate 3M and other places. 

In a related article, The Berkshire Eagle shares that, as part of her honors thesis in chemistry at Williams, Hansen ground up crayfish from the Hoosic River in order to determine where highly carcinogenic PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls) were getting into the river. 

Published July 2, 2024

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