Al French and the "forever chemicals"

Four years ago, Spokane County water experts were eager to help with a public health response to potent contaminants in West Plains drinking water. A powerful commissioner pulled the plug.

A bit more than a year ago Chuck Danner learned he might have a problem with his water. He learned this not from following the news but in a phone call from a friend who, like Danner, lives on the plains west of Spokane. The friend’s well water had tested positive for PFAS—a witches’ brew of toxic, synthetic chemicals whose profitable miracles come with…