For Michael Hickey, it started as a son’s grief.
In 2013, his father, a lifelong resident of Hoosick Falls, New York, died of kidney cancer. Michael couldn’t shake the feeling that something in the town’s environment had contributed. Hoosick Falls was a small community built around industry, and whispers of strange illnesses had been circulating for years.
Michael decided to act. He wasn’t a scientist. He wasn’t a doctor. He was just a man with questions. So he took the simplest step he could think of: he sent a sample of the town’s drinking water for independent testing.
The results were shocking. The water contained PFOA, a toxic PFAS chemical, at levels more than 500 parts per trillion — far beyond what health experts considered safe. Later testing confirmed concentrations more than 100,000 times above the most protective guidelines.
At first, state officials dismissed his concerns. Residents were told the water was “okay to drink.” But Michael refused to stay silent. He gathered the data, told his neighbors, contacted the press, and forced regulators to pay attention.
Eventually, Hoosick Falls became the center of national headlines. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency stepped in, declaring the water unsafe. Thousands of residents learned they had been exposed for decades, raising risks of cancers, thyroid problems, and immune system damage.
Michael Hickey’s persistence — born of personal loss — had uncovered a silent, invisible danger that his whole town had been living with. His father’s death, and the deaths and illnesses of many others, suddenly had an explanation.
Hoosick Falls is now one of America’s most famous PFAS contamination cases, a story of corporate negligence, regulatory failure, and the power of one grieving son who demanded the truth.
⚖️ PFAS Blog Series Disclaimer
This blog post is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not provide medical, nutritional, legal, or environmental advice. Readers who are concerned about their health, water quality, or possible chemical exposure should consult qualified healthcare professionals, environmental specialists, or regulatory authorities.
Story Disclaimer:
Where this article includes the story of an individual, family, or community (for example, Debbie Blankenship of Elkton, Maryland, or Michael Hickey of Hoosick Falls, New York), the details are drawn from publicly available sources and reports. These stories are included to illustrate the real-life human impact of PFAS contamination. They should not be interpreted as firsthand reporting.
Research Disclaimer:
Scientific findings and statistics mentioned in this blog are based on peer-reviewed research, government reports, or academic reviews available at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to present accurate information, PFAS research is ongoing and new evidence may change scientific consensus over time. Readers are encouraged to review the linked original studies for full context.
Product & Retail Disclaimer:
Any product details provided — including capacity, wattage, price, and PFAS-free claims — are based on information made publicly available by manufacturers or retailers at the time of publication. These specifications may change. Readers should verify details directly with manufacturers or stores before purchasing. Mentions of retailers (e.g., JB Hi-Fi, Myer, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys, Harris Scarfe) are included solely to help readers locate products. We do not receive commission, sponsorship, or payment from any brand or retailer mentioned.
Image Disclaimer:
Images used in this blog are illustrative only. They may not depict the actual individuals, families, products, or locations described. For personal stories, images do not represent the real people involved and are included solely to support storytelling.
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⚖️ PFAS Blog Series Disclaimer
This blog post is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not provide medical, nutritional, legal, or environmental advice. Readers who are concerned about their health, water quality, or possible chemical exposure should consult qualified healthcare professionals, environmental specialists, or regulatory authorities.
Story Disclaimer:
Where this article includes the story of an individual, family, or community (for example, Debbie Blankenship of Elkton, Maryland, or Michael Hickey of Hoosick Falls, New York), the details are drawn from publicly available sources and reports. These stories are included to illustrate the real-life human impact of PFAS contamination. They should not be interpreted as firsthand reporting.
Research Disclaimer:
Scientific findings and statistics mentioned in this blog are based on peer-reviewed research, government reports, or academic reviews available at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to present accurate information, PFAS research is ongoing and new evidence may change scientific consensus over time. Readers are encouraged to review the linked original studies for full context.
Product & Retail Disclaimer:
Any product details provided — including capacity, wattage, price, and PFAS-free claims — are based on information made publicly available by manufacturers or retailers at the time of publication. These specifications may change. Readers should verify details directly with manufacturers or stores before purchasing. Mentions of retailers (e.g., JB Hi-Fi, Myer, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys, Harris Scarfe) are included solely to help readers locate products. We do not receive commission, sponsorship, or payment from any brand or retailer mentioned.
Image Disclaimer:
Images used in this blog are illustrative only. They may not depict the actual individuals, families, products, or locations described. For personal stories, images do not represent the real people involved and are included solely to support storytelling.
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