Contamination of Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Environmental Fight for Safe and Health: The MammeNoPfas Movement as Epistemic Community

Abstract

Some communities in the Veneto Region (Italy) are facing a major technological disaster due to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) pollution. In response to this serious problem, a group of ordinary mothers exposed to PFAS contamination came together under the name MammeNoPfas (MothersNoPfas) to address this environmental disaster moving towards activism. They started to develop the epistemic capacity to understand these substances and disseminate this knowledge within their communities. The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of these mothers as an epistemic community and a minority group, engaged in an accidental form of environmental activism. Based on in-depth narrative interviews, 23 mothers were involved in the study. A grounded theory and thematic analysis methods were used. Four major themes emerged: (1) health surveillance, (2) collective ignorance, (3) collective learning, (4) community practices. Nine sub-themes were associated with the emerging themes. This study demonstrated that the skills acquired by MammeNoPfas enabled significant participation in environmental and health issues. Social mobilisation, fighting for legal justice against those who poisoned their land and bodies and establishing themselves as an epistemic community are the three main dimensions characterising the struggle of MammeNoPfas.

Keywords

• epistemic communities
• social influence
• minority group
• empowerment
• community practice
• accidental activist