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PFAS Lawsuit
PFAS, which stands for "per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances", are a group of man-made chemicals used in many everyday products like non-stick cookware, stain-resistant clothing, and firefighting foam, that are concerning because they don't break down easily in the environment and can build up in our bodies, potentially causing health issues; essentially, they are "forever chemicals" that can persist in the environment for a long time.
Who is liable for PFAS contamination?
🧪 1. Chemical Manufacturers
These companies produced PFAS chemicals and are most often the primary defendants in lawsuits.
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3M
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DuPont (and its spinoffs: Chemours, Corteva, and others)
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Daikin, Solvay, Arkema, and similar global producers
They are accused of:
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Knowingly manufacturing toxic chemicals
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Failing to warn the public and regulators about health risks
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Concealing internal studies linking PFAS to cancer and other illnesses
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🏭 2. Industrial Users
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Companies in industries like aerospace, automotive, textiles, paper, semiconductors, and metal plating used PFAS in products or processes, releasing them into air, water, or landfills.
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Examples:
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Factories that used PFAS to coat products
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Metal finishing plants
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Textile mills producing water-repellent materials
🚒 3. Fire Departments and Airports
Entities that used Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)—a PFAS-based firefighting foam—have been both plaintiffs and defendants in lawsuits.
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Airports
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Military bases
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Training centers
They may also face liability if they failed to contain or warn about PFAS use.
💧 4. Water Utilities
Some water treatment facilities have been sued for failing to filter out PFAS or contributing to exposure, but many of them have turned around and sued chemical manufacturers in response.
⚖️ Legal Trend
Courts are increasingly holding chemical manufacturers liable, and in 2023, 3M agreed to pay over $10 billion to settle water contamination claims.
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