How East St. Louis became a battleground against an international chemical giant episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 25, 2026 · 33 MIN

How East St. Louis became a battleground against an international chemical giant

from St. Louis on the Air

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive disorder with no cure, and its rate of incidence in the Midwest is one of the highest in the country. We explore why — including new research that shows a strong link between exposure to a widely used herbicide and the development of the disease. Journalist Mike Fitzgerald shares how East St. Louis became a battleground against the chemical giant that produces the herbicide and how the Trump administration’s cuts to biomedical funding could have big repercussions for people focused on a cure. We also hear from two St. Louis residents who live with the condition.

NOW PLAYING

How East St. Louis became a battleground against an international chemical giant

0:00 33:31

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of St. Louis on the Air?

This episode is 33 minutes long.

When was this St. Louis on the Air episode published?

This episode was published on February 25, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive disorder with no cure, and its rate of incidence in the Midwest is one of the highest in the country. We explore why — including new research that shows a strong link between exposure to a widely used...

Can I download this St. Louis on the Air episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!