PFAS and Health Impacts: What Frontline Communities Need to Know

EHP continues to explore the health risks of PFAS chemicals since it was revealed that PFAS, or chemicals that break down into PFAS, are being used in shale gas development. In this webinar, we further explore health impacts from exposure to PFAS focusing on female reproductive outcomes with Dr. Sue Fenton from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. We will then look at what frontline communities need to know and how to work to mitigate exposures with Dr. Tasha Stoiber of the Environmental Working Group. Following the presentations, Dr. Ned Ketyer, Medical Advisor for EHP, will moderate a discussion.

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Speaker & Moderator Bios:

SUZANNE (SUE) FENTON, Ph.D.

Dr. Sue Fenton earned her M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of WI-Madison in the Endocrinology/Reproductive Physiology Program. Following her postdoctoral fellowship at the UNC-Chapel Hill Lineberger Cancer Center, she led a research laboratory at the US EPA’s Reproductive Toxicology Division for 11 years before she joined the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Oct 2009. She is currently a senior scientist, leading the Reproductive Endocrinology group, in the Division of the National Toxicology Program. Her laboratory has published numerous manuscripts enhancing the methodology used in mammary gland assessment and determining early life chemical exposures that lead to persistent developmental changes in breast tissue, altered function, or disease susceptibility over the life course. She has received several NIH and EPA-based awards for her research on perfluorinated chemicals and endocrine disruptors. She is also a 2019 NIH Mentoring Award recipient.  

TASHA STOIBER, Ph.D.

Dr. Tasha Stoiber is a Senior Scientist for the Environmental Working Group and works to better understand the connections between exposure to chemicals and public health. As a member of EWG’s science investigations team, she researches contaminants in drinking water, indoor air pollution, and chemicals in consumer products. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in biological sciences and environmental engineering from Michigan Technological University. She worked as an environmental engineer for three years before returning to graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she earned a Ph.D. in environmental chemistry & technology. She joined EWG’s San Francisco office in 2014. 

EDWARD C. (NED) KETYER, M.D., FAAP

Dr. Ned Ketyer is a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-area pediatrician. Dr. Ketyer enjoyed 26 years in private practice before retiring from patient care in 2017, although he continues to write a daily blog for AHN Pediatrics called The PediaBlog. He remains a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Environmental Health and Climate Change and is President of Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania. Dr. Ketyer is a consultant for the Environmental Health Project bringing attention to the health impacts of shale gas extraction (fracking) in the Marcellus Shale gas patch.

Dr. Ketyer’s work connects the rapid expansion of fracking and petrochemical/plastic development in the Ohio River Valley with the local and regional health impacts currently experienced by residents, and the global ecologic and public health catastrophes resulting from plastic pollution and climate change that threaten the health and well-being of all passengers on this shining ball of blue.

CLICK HERE to view a recording of the webinar.