Were you exposed to PFAS in a contaminated water supply?
What Are PFAS Chemicals?
PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals that have become widely used in modern industries. Developed in the 1930s, they were engineered to create materials that repel water, oil, and heat. These compounds are frequently used in products such as non-stick cookware and household cleaning solutions.
Despite regulatory efforts to limit or ban the most harmful types of PFAS, they are known to persist in both the environment and the human body for extended periods. Due to their historical usage, potential risks associated with exposure continue to be a concern.
What Are PFAS Used For?
For many years, PFAS chemicals have been widely utilized across various industries. Their unique properties make them essential in numerous applications, including:
⚠️ Nonstick Cookware – These chemicals create a tough, heat-resistant coating that helps cookware maintain its nonstick surface even after repeated use.
⚠️ Stain-Resistant Fabrics – PFAS prevent liquids from penetrating fabrics by causing them to bead up and roll off instead of being absorbed.
⚠️ Food Packaging – Found in items like fast-food wrappers and microwave popcorn bags, PFAS coatings prevent grease and oil from seeping through the material.
⚠️ Cleaning Products – Many carpet and upholstery cleaners contain PFAS to repel dirt and stains, enhancing their effectiveness.
⚠️ Electronics – Some computers and smartphones incorporate PFAS to protect sensitive components from heat damage and moisture exposure.
⚠️ Medical Devices – Because of their nonstick properties, PFAS are used in catheters and tubing to reduce clotting and prevent medical devices from adhering to the skin or organs.
Beyond consumer products, these chemicals also play a significant role in military, aerospace, and firefighting applications. One of the biggest concerns is their presence in firefighting foam, which has led to widespread water contamination. A 2018 Department of Defense report revealed that the water supplies at 1,621 military sites exceeded the EPA’s safety threshold for PFAS exposure.
What Are the PFAS Lawsuits About?
Initially, PFAS-related lawsuits were limited to specific industries and locations directly affected by contamination. However, as the widespread presence of these chemicals—particularly in water supplies—became evident, litigation expanded. Those suffering health issues linked to PFAS exposure have increasingly turned to mass tort lawsuits to demand accountability and compensation.
Legal action has played a significant role in raising public awareness about the dangers of PFAS, pressuring both regulators and corporations to recognize the risks and enforce stricter safety measures. The history of PFAS litigation highlights how legal advocacy can drive change, addressing environmental and public health concerns.
The persistence and harmful effects of these chemicals have fueled a rise in lawsuits in recent years. Some key cases include:
- Cities and towns across the country have sued chemical manufacturers and major corporations for contaminating municipal water supplies with PFAS.
- By September 1, 2022, more than 3,000 lawsuits had been filed over groundwater contamination caused by aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), a firefighting foam known to be a primary source of PFAS pollution.
- In 2022, McDonald’s faced a consumer class action lawsuit for using PFAS in its food packaging despite marketing its products as safe.
Due to decades of widespread use in countless consumer products, nearly everyone has been exposed to PFAS. Research from Pew indicates that 97% of Americans have detectable levels of these chemicals in their blood.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that since 1999, at least 12 types of PFAS have been found in blood samples. In testing conducted through the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, nearly all participants had at least four PFAS chemicals present in their blood.
How Did PFAS Get into Water?
PFAS contamination has impacted drinking water for at least 16 million people across 33 states, Puerto Rico, and groundwater in 38 states. The primary sources of this pollution have been linked to industrial waste and former military sites.
For years, firefighting foams containing PFAS were widely used at military bases across the country. A report from the Department of Defense revealed that water supplies at 126 bases contained PFAS levels exceeding the current EPA safety standard.
Several states have taken legal action after detecting PFAS in water sources near major manufacturing plants. Companies like DuPont, 3M, and others have faced lawsuits for allegedly polluting surface and groundwater with these persistent chemicals.
Can You Filter Out PFAS?
Many water treatment techniques are ineffective at removing PFAS, and some may even lead to higher concentrations of these chemicals rather than eliminating them.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Drinking Water Treatability Database indicates that certain methods can reduce PFAS levels by up to 99%, including:
- Granular activated carbon filtration
- Membrane separation processes
- Ion exchange systems
- Powdered activated carbon treatments
However, as new variations of PFAS continue to be developed, the efficiency of these treatment technologies has diminished, making it increasingly difficult to completely remove these contaminants from water sources.
What Health Dangers Do PFAS Present?
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has acknowledged that elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may negatively affect the immune system. Citing a review by the National Toxicology Program, the agency reported that PFAS can suppress antibody responses in both humans and animals.
According to the CDC, exposure to PFAS has been linked to several serious health conditions, including:
- Testicular cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Ulcerative colitis
- Liver cancer
Additionally, studies on lab animals have suggested that PFAS exposure may contribute to immune system damage and birth defects. While these experiments often involve higher PFAS concentrations than typically found in the environment, they provide insight into the potential risks associated with these chemicals.
If PFAS exposure has led to illness or injury, you may have the right to pursue legal action and seek compensation for your damages.
Who can file a PFAS water contamination Lawsuit?
You could be eligible to take legal action if:
- You consumed water from a contaminated source for at least six continuous months between 1990 and the present.
- You were diagnosed in 2000 or later with one of the following conditions: testicular cancer, kidney cancer, ulcerative colitis, or liver cancer.
If your health has suffered due to preventable exposure, you have legal options. Our experienced attorneys are here to help you navigate the process, with no financial burden to you or your loved ones.