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PFAS Lawsuit
Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of man-made chemicals that have been in various products, including non-stick cookware, water repellent fabrics, and firefighting foam. PFASs have been linked to a range of serious health issues, including cancer, thyroid disease, testicular cancer, and reproductive problems.
Despite these risks, PFAS are still being used in products today. Are you concerned about your health issues and believe they are the result of the PFAS exposure?
The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, are legal advocates for injured victims who have been harmed through negligence. Our injury attorneys work aggressively for our clients to ensure they receive maximum compensation for the damages caused by others.
Call our product liability attorneys at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with your attorney remains private through an attorney-client relationship.
What Are Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Chemicals?
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that have been in use since the 1940s. They are found in many consumer products, including non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothing, and firefighting foam.
Some common applications include non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, and firefighter foam. Unfortunately, PFAS also have a dark side: they're highly persistent in many communities and can accumulate in human tissues. In recent years, there has been growing concern about the potential health risks associated with exposure to PFASs.
PFASs have been used in a wide variety of industrial and commercial products. They include the well-known chemicals PFOA and PFOS, which have long been linked to cancer and other health problems.
PFAS Manufacturers Know About the Toxic Chemicals
While these substances have been shown to be effective at repelling water and oil, they are also known to be toxic and persistent in the environment throughout the country. Recent studies by the US Environmental Protection Agency have linked PFAS contamination exposure to health concerns such as cancer, hormone disruption, and obesity.
As a result, there is growing concern about the potential risks to human health posed by these toxic PFAS chemicals. Even with the evidence of harm, PFAS product makers have continued to use these chemicals in a wide range of products.
Environmental Protection Agency and Forever Chemicals
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS are often referred to as 'forever chemicals' due to their resistance to degradation. As a result, these chemicals can accumulate in the environment and human tissue over time increasing a person’s health risk.
The Agency has set new drinking water standards for two types of PFAS chemicals, PFOA and PFOS. These new drinking water standards will help protect public health by limiting exposure to these toxic chemicals.
For years, the Air Force Civil Engineer Center has worked with private well owners and public water companies to provide alternative water supplies for those with PFAS contamination in their drinking water.
The Sierra Club Director has stated that PFAS in municipal water and the air “are so toxic that a very low dose can cause significant health effects.”
Greenhouse Gases
In addition to their potential health effects, PFASs are also a major source of greenhouse gases. These chemicals can be released into the atmosphere when they are used in products such as firefighter foam.
When these chemicals are released into the atmosphere, they contribute to climate change by trapping heat and contributing to global warming. As a result, the use of PFASs in products has come under increased scrutiny in recent years.
In response to the growing concerns about the environmental impact of PFASs, the Environmental Protection Agency has proposed regulations that would require manufacturers to phase out the use of some PFAS chemicals.
Newly Proposed Regulations
The Environmental Protection Agency under the Biden Administration has proposed regulations that would require companies to phase out the use of some PFAS chemical toxins from their products. However, these regulations and laws have not yet been finalized, and it remains to be seen how effective they will be at protecting the public from exposure to these toxic chemicals.
For decades, PFAS have been used in a wide range of products, including non-stick cookware, food packaging, nearly half of all fast-food wrappers, water-repellent fabric, and firefighter foam. However, the health risks associated with PFAS contamination exposure have only come to light in recent years.
A growing body of scientific evidence has linked PFAS contamination exposure to a number of serious health problems, including cancer, hormone disruption, and reproductive problems. As a result of these health concerns, the EPA has launched an investigation into the potential risks posed by PFAS chemicals.
While the health effects of PFAS contamination exposure are still being studied, there is growing evidence linking these chemicals to a range of serious health problems. These health issues likely started decades ago with extensive exposure, causing problems that include cancer, hormone disruption, reproductive problems, liver damage, and thyroid disease.
PFAS Pollution at Military Bases
The Department of Defense (DoD) is in charge of Superfund cleanups that are happening at military sites, with EPA oversight. These cleanups include an investigation of the extent of PFAS contamination and the implementation of a plan to clean up the affected site.
The government has also established an interim drinking water limit for PFAS chemicals of 70 parts per trillion. This limit is based on the best available science and is designed to protect human health.
The Department of Defense is also working to identify and clean up sites that are contaminated with PFAS chemicals. In some cases, the Department of Defense has provided alternative water supplies for those with PFAS contamination in their drinking water.
The government is also working to develop new technologies to remove PFAS chemicals from the environment. These technologies will be used to cleanup sites that are contaminated with PFAS chemicals.
PFAS Litigation and Chemical Companies
There is a long history of PFAS litigation in the Northern District Court for the District of South Carolina. The hundreds of cases are not part of a class-action lawsuit (a class-action lawsuit represents a large group of plaintiffs), but a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) suit that combines the cases that have similar damages where the outcome of each lawsuit is handled individually.
The defendants are some of the world's largest chemical manufacturers, 3M and DuPont. The plaintiffs allege that the companies knew or should have known about the health risks posed by their products and failed to warn consumers.
Plaintiffs Filing Lawsuits Seeking Punitive Damages From Chemical Companies
The plaintiffs are seeking damages for their injuries, as well as punitive damages. The lawsuits are currently in the pretrial litigation stage, and it is not yet known when they will go to trial.
These cases in South Carolina and other states are still in the early stages, and no decisions have been made about liability or damages. However, the cases highlight the potential health risks posed by PFAS chemicals and the need for more research into their safety.
3M has announced that it will phase out the production of PFAS chemicals soon, which is a welcome first step. However, it does not address the problem of legacy contamination that has affected many communities.
DuPont has also announced that it will stop using PFAS chemicals in its products by 2030. However, DuPont is still using these chemicals in its manufacturing processes, and it is unclear how long it will take for the company to completely phase out its use.
Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney to Resolve PFAS Litigation
Unfortunately, many people are still exposed to these hazardous chemicals today.
Was your well-being compromised by exposure or access to toxic PFAS found in products, water, air, or contaminated environmental site? Do you want to hold the company responsible (defendants) accountable for your damages.
Contact a product liability lawyer at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, at (888) 424-5757 to resolve your filed claim. Our injury attorneys accept all lawsuits on a contingency fee agreement, meaning you will not pay any upfront fees until our law firm obtains compensation on your behalf.