Toms River: A Story of Science and Salvation by Dan Fagin

Toms River: A Story of Science and Salvation is the compelling story of a small town's long battle against industrial pollution, written by Pulitzer-prize winning author Dan Fagin. The book follows the town of Toms River, New Jersey and its people from the 1950s to present, as it struggles to cope with the health effects caused by local manufacturing of C-8, a type of chemical used in making stain-resistant and non-stick coatings.

The book begins in 1951, when four-year-old Kathy McHugh is diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. The diagnosis marks the start of the decades-long battle the town of Toms River will fight against an invisible enemy, the C-8 contamination that has been polluting the local environment since the 1950s. Throughout the book, Fagin follows various characters in the town as their stories intertwine with the growing evidence of the dangers posed by the chemical. Soon it becomes clear that the C-8 contamination is to blame for many of the health issues the town's residents have experienced for years.

The bulk of the book is devoted to the science that went into uncovering the cause of Toms River's mystery illnesses. Fagin interviews researchers, government officials, and advocates who worked tirelessly to understand why so many of Toms River's children were fighting cancer and other mysterious diseases. He also interviews the citizens of Toms River who lived through the ordeal and provides an in-depth look at the poignant stories of resilience and frustration in the face of the toll taken by the years of contamination.

In addition to the science and human stories of the Toms River tragedy, Fagin also provides an insightful look at the “business-as-usual” attitude of industries in the face of environmental issues. He dives deep into the court cases that have been brought against corporations by grieving community members, as well as the political lobbying that has kept necessary health regulations from being implemented time and time again.

Ultimately, though, Fagin paints a picture of a small community that found the strength to take on a powerful corporation and come out victorious. As the book closes, what started as a heartbreaking story of illness and human suffering becomes an inspiring and hopeful tale of science and salvation. Toms River stands as a steadfast example of what communities can accomplish when, even in the face of unimaginable odds, they stand together in the pursuit of justice.