Forever Chemicals Are Everywhere—How Do We Stay Safe? with EWG President Ken Cook

QUESTION EVERYTHING

Ken Cook is the President and co-founder of the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and has spent his life fighting for safer food, cleaner water, and tougher regulations to protect us—and our kids—from toxic chemicals. He’s reshaped U.S. food and farm policy and pushed back against the industries putting profits over people.

In this episode, he shares:

• What the EWG really does—and how their site can help you make safer, smarter choices for yourself and your family.
• Why EWG chose to make science “buzzy”—and how it changed everything.
• The wild difference between U.S. and European product regulations (and why so many harmful ingredients are still legal here).The Dirty Dozen & Clean 15: the simplest way to know what produce to buy organic.
• How to find out what’s actually in your tap water—and what to do about it.What you need to know about PFAS (aka “forever chemicals”).
• Why “legal” doesn’t always mean “safe”—especially when it comes to beauty, cleaning, furniture, and home goods.
• How toxic chemicals are impacting kids—and why you should care.His go-to tips to make safer swaps without feeling overwhelmed.
• Why cracking a window might be one of the healthiest things you do today.
• How EWG is fighting to make organic food and safer products more accessible and affordable for everyone.The real reason companies are finally making cleaner, healthier options—and what role you play.

Book Rec: The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes

Check out the EWG here and their consumer guides (safer beauty, tap water, sunscreen etc) here.

Check out Ken’s Podcast “Ken Cook is Having Another Episode” here!