Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, are a group of human-made chemicals that have been used in a multitude of industries for their grease and water-resistant properties. The broad use of these chemicals has resulted in contamination of water systems across the United States, leading to significant environmental and health issues.
This blog provides an update of the ongoing PFAS contamination lawsuit, with affected communities seeking justice for the severe health issues linked to exposure.
What are PFAS?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a family of over 10,000 human-made chemicals that have been widely used in the US, primarily in industrial and oil processing activities. PFAS are used in the manufacture of a wide range of products such as food packaging, non-stick cookware, textiles, and more based on their ability to repel both grease and water. These chemicals are known as “forever chemicals” because they are nearly indestructible and can last thousands of years.
What is the PFAS contamination lawsuit?
The use of PFAS has led to widespread water contamination, exposing entire communities across the United States. The mass tort lawsuit for PFAS is seeking legal action against manufacturers of PFAS for water contamination resulting in severe health issues including kidney cancer, liver cancer, testicular cancer, and ulcerative colitis.
What is the extent of PFAS contamination?
According to data collected by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Northeastern University, water systems in all 50 states have been contaminated with PFAS. Since PFAS are extremely persistent and mobile in water, they remain intact for long periods of time and can be easily transported over long distances. The EPA’s data, along with reporting from individual states and other sources, confirms that 130 million people throughout the U.S. have drinking water that has tested positive for PFAS.
What are the latest updates on the PFAS contamination lawsuit?
August 2024 – EPA Launches Nationwide PFAS Testing at Army Bases
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched a new project to test drinking water near U.S. Army bases for contamination by PFAS. The testing will begin at nine Army installations and is expected to expand to 235 locations across the country. PFAS contamination has been a significant concern, especially near military bases where aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) containing PFAS was widely used to combat fuel fires. This foam has been identified as a major source of PFAS contamination in water supplies, posing health risks to military personnel, their families, and nearby communities.
The nine initial bases are:
- Fort Novosel, located in Dale County, Alabama.
- Fort Hunter Liggett, Parks Reserve Forces Training Area, in Monterey County, California.
- Fort Stewart, located in Liberty County, Georgia.
- Fort Stewart, Hunter Army Airfield, located in Savannah, Georgia.
- Blue Grass Army Depot, located near Richmond, Kentucky.
- Fort Campbell, located in Montgomery and Stewart Counties, Tennessee and in Christian and Trigg Counties, Kentucky.
- Fort Liberty, located near Fayetteville, North Carolina.
- Fort Sill, located near Lawton, Oklahoma.
- McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, located in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma.
The EPA has also established new, legally enforceable drinking water limits for PFAS, with a goal of assessing whether the water quality near these bases complies with the new standards. If PFAS levels exceed the Maximum Contaminant Levels set by the EPA, the Army and environmental regulators will collaborate with state officials to address the contamination. This initiative is part of a broader legal effort to address PFAS contamination nationwide.
May 2024 – BASF settles for $316.5 million
German chemical company BASF announced a $316.5 million settlement with several U.S. public water systems that claimed their water supplies were contaminated by PFAS found in the company’s firefighting foam. The settlement will provide funds to help cities, towns, and other public water systems address contamination from PFAS. BASF stated that the settlement does not constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing and that it will seek to recover the settlement amount through its numerous insurance policies.
2023 – Billion dollar settlements from 3M, Chemours Co., DuPont de Nemours Inc., and Corteva
In June 2023, 3M agreed to a $10.3 billion settlement, to be paid over 13 years, to resolve hundreds of claims that it contaminated public drinking water with PFAS chemicals. Similarly, Chemours Co., DuPont de Nemours Inc., and Corteva reached a settlement of $1.19 billion with U.S. water providers.
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