1167: PFAS, Public Trust, and the Power of Partnership

Emerging contaminants such as PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances) present a difficult challenge for public health agencies: the science is evolving, exposure pathways are complex, and communities want clear answers even when uncertainty remains. Christen Linke Young, cabinet secretary for the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, talks about Delaware’s cross-agency approach to addressing PFAS contamination and other environmental health concerns. By bringing together experts from public health, environmental protection, and agriculture, the state has built a collaborative model that relies on scientific expertise and long-standing relationships rather than top-down coordination. The conversation explores how uncertainty surrounding PFAS can complicate public communication while also creating opportunities to rebuild trust in public health institutions. Linke Young discusses Delaware’s efforts to communicate transparently about what is known, what remains uncertain, and how residents can participate in the decision-making process.About Environmental Public Health | ASTHOSubscribe | ASTHO