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The truth has a man on the inside.

Inspired by a shocking true story, a tenacious attorney (Ruffalo) uncovers a dark secret that connects a growing number of unexplained deaths due to one of the world’s largest corporations. In the process, he risks everything – his future, his family, and his own life – to expose the truth.

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impact

Impact

Against the backdrop of insufficient regulation, minimal awareness of the dangers of forever chemicals, and activist fatigue, the Dark Waters campaign raised the public profile of this threat and supported the movement of activists demanding stronger environmental health protections.Together with partners in 21 states, policymakers, activists, and filmmakers the campaign effectively helped bring forever chemicals from the margins to the mainstream.

Since the launch of the campaign, there has been more action on forever chemicals than any other period in history. The film and campaign helped influence at least 14 pieces of legislation in the US, including important measures to clean up, mitigate, study, and ban PFAS. In Europe, the EU announced a total phase out and ban of PFAS as a class. 43 multinational companies pledged to go PFAS-free, and 3M announced that it would stop producing forever chemicals. In the six months after the film’s release, there was a 62% increase in mentions of the term “forever chemicals” and in 2023, the term was officially added to Dictionary.com.

learn

Learn

Forever chemicals, also known as PFAS, are a family of per- and polyfluorinated chemicals that create the nonstick, stain-resistant, and waterproof products we use in our daily lives. They are bio-persistent, meaning they do not break down in the environment and build up in humans and animals over time. They are in the blood of 99% of humans.

Why We Fight

People from PFAS contaminated communities across the country are joining together to tell their stories and demand justice. They’re fighting back, and you can too.

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Protect yourself and your family

We understand that the fight against forever chemicals can feel overwhelming and undefeatable. But there are ways to protect yourself and hold polluters accountable. Make sure your family, friends and loved ones know about forever chemicals and how they can protect themselves.

Our Partners

credits
A poster for Dark Waters by Participant Media
Director
Todd Haynes
Producers
Mark Ruffalo, p.g.a., Christine Vachon, p.g.a., Pamela Koffler, p.g.a.
Executive Producers
Jeff Skoll, Jonathan King, Michael Sledd, Robert Kessel
Screenplay
Mario Correa, Matthew Michael Carnahan
Cast
Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins
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