Tom McKnight spent years working in the oil and gas industry—hauling condensate, crude, and waste, and cleaning up well sites during some of the most intense phases of production.

He liked the work. He made good money. He took pride in being part of it.

But when radiation risks came up in training, he says he was told it was "no more than a cell phone." Years later, after repeated exposure to brine, sludge, and dust—often without proper protective equipment—Tom was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

In this episode, Tom walks through:

What daily work on active well pads actually looks like
How exposure happens in routine tasks most people never see
The culture inside the industry during its rapid expansion
What workers were—and weren't—told about risk
What should change to better protect the people doing the job

This is not a simple "for or against" conversation. It's a firsthand account from someone who lived it.

About Exposure:
Exposure is an investigative and editorial podcast produced in partnership with Ohio Valley Allies. We document the human, environmental, and economic impacts of extractive industries through interviews, research, and storytelling.

If you found this conversation valuable:
Subscribe, share, and help us reach more people.

Disclaimer:

Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure.

Our mission is to investigate and document the impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We aim to examine these industries using good-faith inquiry, verified sources where possible, and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, a call to action, or an endorsement of any specific viewpoint, protest, or organization.

We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are based on publicly available information, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or journalistic analysis. Where allegations or critical claims are made, we strive to provide context and sourcing.

We are committed to correcting material errors. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at info@ohiovalleyallies.org
for timely review and, if warranted, correction.

We encourage viewers to stay informed, engage thoughtfully with public policy, and participate in civic processes in their communities.

While Exposure covers controversial and high-stakes topics, we do so as journalists seeking transparency, accountability, and the free exchange of ideas—not as advocates for any political party, protest strategy, or legal action.

#fracking
#trucking
#OhioRiverValley
#Appalachia
#PublicHealth

From rural Ohio to public and political advocacy- MAHA Ohio director and former Ohio State director for Robert F Kennedy Jr. S presidential campaign, Elizabeth Frost discusses how growing up in the Ohio River Valley shaped her focus on environmental exposure.

Her story provides a lens into how industry, public policy, and public health intersect in small, rural communities.
In this episode:

— A closer look at the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement
— East Palestine, fracking, chemical exposure, and long-term health concerns
— How corporate influence and public policy shape health outcomes in rural communities

Subscribe for more:
Exposure investigates the hidden costs of extractive and petrochemical industries across the Ohio River Valley—and the communities living with the consequences.

Disclaimer:

Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure.

Our mission is to investigate and document the impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We aim to examine these industries using good-faith inquiry, verified sources where possible, and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, a call to action, or an endorsement of any specific viewpoint, protest, or organization.

We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are based on publicly available information, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or journalistic analysis. Where allegations or critical claims are made, we strive to provide context and sourcing.

We are committed to correcting material errors. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at info@ohiovalleyallies.org
for timely review and, if warranted, correction.

We encourage viewers to stay informed, engage thoughtfully with public policy, and participate in civic processes in their communities.

While Exposure covers controversial and high-stakes topics, we do so as journalists seeking transparency, accountability, and the free exchange of ideas—not as advocates for any political party, protest strategy, or legal action.

#ElizabethFrost
#MAHA
#OhioRiverValley
#Appalachia
#PublicHealth

A new five-year human health study is now underway following the East Palestine train derailment and controlled burn. In this episode of Exposure, Jill and Stuart break down what's been announced, what a long-term study can (and can't) tell us, and why sustained health monitoring matters after a major chemical incident.

Official Health Study Webpage - https://research.uky.edu/environment/east-palestine-health-research

In this episode:

What we know about the 5-year study

Why long-term monitoring matters

What "health outcomes" can look like over time

What residents may want to watch for as the study moves forward

Subscribe for more: Exposure covers the hidden costs of extractive and petrochemical industry development across the Ohio River Valley—and the communities living with the consequences.

#EastPalestine #PublicHealth #NIH #ExposurePodcast #EnvironmentalHealth #OhioRiverValley #TrainDerailment

Disclaimer:

Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure.

Our mission is to investigate and document the impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We aim to expose the truth behind these industries' operations and consequences using good-faith inquiry, verified sources where possible, and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, a call to action, or an endorsement of any specific viewpoint, protest, or organization.

We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are based on publicly available information, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or journalistic analysis. Where allegations or critical claims are made, we strive to provide context and sourcing.

We are committed to correcting material errors. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at info@ohiovalleyallies.org for timely review and, if warranted, correction.

While Exposure covers controversial and high-stakes topics, we do so as journalists seeking transparency, accountability, and the free exchange of ideas—not as advocates for any political party, protest strategy, or legal action.