The phone buzzed on the messy desk, a beacon of normalcy amidst the chaos of half-eaten donuts and forgotten mugs. A photo of a bright-eyed toddler, his new stepchild, flashed on the screen. John, recently remarried with a ready-made family, seemed to be settling in well. At least, that’s what everyone thought.
John’s past was a mystery. Whispers of a volatile divorce followed him, a stark contrast to the picture of domestic bliss he tried to portray. But beneath the surface, John wasn’t content. He craved something new, something shiny, just like the ever-present “forever chemicals” - PFAS - being announced on the news.
These chemicals, used in everything from nonstick pans to water repellents, were everywhere, just like John’s discontent. They lingered in the environment for years, just like the secrets John kept. The news, however, offered a glimmer of hope. The government was finally taking action, regulating these harmful substances. Maybe, just maybe, John could take a cue and clean up his own act.
The phone buzzed again, this time with a text. It wasn’t who he was expecting. John glanced at the photo of his stepchild, a pang of guilt twisting in his gut. The world was finally taking action against forever chemicals, but could John break free of his own destructive cycle and become the father this child needed? The phone lay forgotten, a silent question mark on the messy desk.
EPA announces first-ever national regulations for “forever chemicals” in drinking water
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