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In the absence of comprehensive environmental regulation, under what conditions can social movement pressure on the private sector generate substantive change? We explore this question in relation to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals that are widely used in consumer products and industrial processes yet remain largely understudied and weakly regulated. This paper focuses on the strengths and limitations of one high-profile shame campaign by Greenpeace that has called for clothing and outdoor brands to eliminate PFAS from their products. We find that while the campaign appears to have spurred widespread awareness of PFAS in the apparel industry, corporate action remains fragmented and leaves broader environmental and social justice concerns unaddressed. We highlight the urgent need for comprehensive federal regulation for toxic chemicals, increased funding for green chemistry, and collaborative governance of global production networks. 

We report participant perceptions of the 2005–2006 C8 Health Project, a massive medical monitoring effort in response to perfluorooctanoic acid (C8) in West Virginia and Ohio. The C8 Health Project consisted of a health survey ( n = 69,030), blood testing for ten per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and 50+ laboratory tests ( n = 66,899). A randomly selected subgroup was surveyed in 2007 on (1) demographics (2) satisfaction with the project, and (3) perceptions of outcomes such as contribution to personal/family, community health, and links to health outcomes. The response rate was 573/1500 (38.2 percent). Most (92.7 percent) characterized their participation experience as “excellent” or “good,” and most (96.2 percent) considered the project very “important,” “important,” or “moderately important.” No demographic variable predicted important changes in satisfaction or perception of project importance. We conclude that responses to the survey indicate strong positive assessments of project benefits.