Erin Brockovich’s movie is out in 2000. But there is a true story behind it from the mid-1990s. It is the story of a woman, a company, a community, and public health science.
Personally, it is one of my favorites as it was released while I was looking at what expertise should I choose. After this and some other influences, I chose medical geology.
Still, I was shocked when my professor in my Master’s degree actually recommended it so we can understand contamination.
I do care a great deal about the environment but my real work and my greatest challenge is trying to overcome deceits that end up jeopardizing public health and safety.
Erin Brockovich
Hence this movie is merely an easy way to explain what is medical geology to people. Moreover, the story is a good example of how medical geology is applied to save lives.
Erin Brockovich is a woman that had a very difficult life until she worked with lawyer Edward L. Masry.
There she discovered that people of the town of Hinkley were sick because of groundwater contamination. Her team finally won a US$333 million settlement, the largest ever paid in a direct-action lawsuit in U.S. history.
Although the story is very impressive, the science is not at all. But it is more focused on Erin Brockovich’s troubles.
So I feel we need to explain this true story that affected and is still affecting so many people. You can hear all about it in this episode.
What the story shows is that strict legislation will save lives. If companies can operate without any reinforcement we are putting in danger public health.
If you have not seen the movie yet, you can buy it here.
When it comes to the groundwater contamination and the poisoning of people I see, it’s a moral issue. Nobody’s ever gonna convince me that a CEO wouldn’t care if his own child was poisoned.
Erin Brockovich
Did you like the story? How about in your country? Anything similar happening? You can share it below.
Important: share only your own story directly in the comments. Links to other posts, videos, websites, etc. will be removed.
Thank you for sharing your comments.
With love…for science,
Konstantia
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