The Whistleblower

This episode features two accounts that center the vitality of the Hudson River. The first comes from Paul Hanak, a Hastings resident from 1925 to 1987, and known as one of the river’s most prolific swimmers. By the late 60s, though, pollutants from Zinsser Chemical and Anaconda Wire and Cable had turned the water purple, yellow, and green. Our second account comes from Fred Danback, who worked as a janitor and union president for Anaconda before deciding to give his life to fighting this pollution. His suit, when settled in 1972, marked the largest reward money ever obtained by a conservation group. Dan Shapley, Interim VP of Programs & Interim Hudson Riverkeeper, provides context.