Love Canal Pt. 1 - A Ticking Time Bomb

Love Canal Pt. 1 - A Ticking Time Bomb

From Off the Radar by The National Weather Desk

April 21, 2026 · 53 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the toxic legacy of Love Canal and features an interview with toxicologist Stephen Lester.

For Earth Day this year, we're heading to Niagara Falls, New York, where the idyllic-sounding Love Canal community holds a dark secret: a neighborhood was built on top of a toxic waste dump. Residents were lied to. Adults got sick, babies were born with unbelievable health problems, and the government spent years trying to conceal the truth. In Part 1 of this two-part special, we'll talk to Stephen Lester, the toxicologist who helped prove what the residents knew all along: that something was very wrong with Love Canal. He's been helping communities for the past 40 years with the Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ) as well as the Texas Health and Environment Alliance. Next week, we'll be talking to Luella Kenny, a former resident of Love Canal and a lifelong activist who's committed to making sure no one else gets sick from corporate irresponsibility and government obstruction. Guest hosted by Brian Pietrus! See Privacy Policy at ⁠https://art19.com/privacy⁠ and California Privacy Notice at ⁠https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info⁠.

People in this episode

Host: Brian Pietrus

Guest: Stephen Lester

Topics covered

  • toxic waste
  • environmental health
  • community activism
  • government accountability
  • public health

Keywords

  • Love Canal
  • toxic waste
  • Stephen Lester
  • environmental justice
  • health problems
  • activism
  • government concealment

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Center for Health, Environment & Justice, Texas Health and Environment Alliance

Places: Niagara Falls, New York, Love Canal

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