PFAS Water Contamination Lawsuit [2024 Guide]

PFAS (Forever Chemicals) Explained

Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of manufactured chemicals, including PFOA, PFOS, and many other compounds.

Forever chemicals have been manufactured and used in various industries around the globe since the 1940s.

PFAS are known for their unique chemical properties, particularly their resistance to water, oil, and heat, due to the strong carbon-fluorine bonds within their molecular structure.

Because of this durability, PFAS have been used in everything from non-stick cookware and waterproof clothing to firefighting foams and food packaging.

However, this same resilience also makes them environmentally persistent, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals” because they do not break down naturally.

Over time, PFAS can accumulate in both the environment and human bodies, leading to widespread contamination.

Research has linked long-term exposure to these chemicals to serious health issues, including cancer, immune system suppression, and developmental effects in children​.

Development and Application of PFAS Chemicals

The development of PFAS began in the mid-20th century, with companies like 3M and DuPont pioneering their production.

PFAS were initially celebrated for their innovative durability, leading to their incorporation into a wide array of consumer and industrial products.

By the 1950s and 60s, PFAS was being widely used in:

• Non-Stick Cookware: PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), better known as Teflon, became a household staple for its ability to create non-stick surfaces.
• Firefighting Foams: Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) containing PFAS were adopted for their efficiency in extinguishing fuel fires.
• Water-Repellent Fabrics: PFAS provides durable water repellency to textiles, leading to their outdoor gear and clothing use.
• Food Packaging: PFAS coatings helped to resist grease and oil, leading to their use in fast food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, and other food containers.

PFAS was also utilized in various settings for its lubricating and protective qualities, including in the aerospace and automotive industries.

Sources and Pathways of PFAS Contamination

Military bases, particularly those involved in firefighting training and operations, are significant sources of PFAS contamination.

The use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), which contains high levels of PFAS, has been standard at military installations for decades.

AFFF, used extensively in fire drills and emergency responses, leaches into the soil and eventually infiltrates nearby groundwater and drinking water supplies, leading to contamination in surrounding communities.

More than 700 military installations in the US have known or suspected releases of PFAS in drinking water, private wells, and other water sources.

However, military sites are not the only culprits.

Manufacturing facilities that produce or use PFAS in various industrial applications also release significant amounts of these chemicals into the environment.

Industrial discharge from factories that manufacture non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, and other PFAS-containing products can contaminate local water bodies and soil​.

Additionally, waste disposal sites, including landfills, allow PFAS to seep from discarded products into the surrounding environment, contributing to long-term pollution​.

Agricultural runoff, containing fertilizers made from biosolids with PFAS, further spreads these chemicals, affecting water bodies and agricultural lands​.

Removing PFAS from water supplies is particularly difficult, as conventional water treatment plants are not equipped to handle these chemicals.

Advanced technologies like granular activated carbon filtration are required, but these are costly and not yet widely adopted.

Health and Environmental Impact of PFAS

The health and environmental impact of PFAS is far-reaching and includes newly emerging concerns about the chemicals’ effects on wildlife and entire ecosystems.

Recent studies have shown that PFAS can bioaccumulate not only in humans but also in fish, birds, and mammals, leading to disruption of reproductive and developmental systems in animals exposed to these chemicals.

PFAS are now being found in some of the most remote regions of the planet, including Arctic ice, where they continue to affect environments far removed from their initial point of release.

Growing research suggests that current efforts to filter PFAS from drinking water may be insufficient, as even low levels of exposure could have more profound long-term health consequences than previously thought.

Health Effects of Exposure to PFAS

Exposure to PFAS has been linked to a variety of serious health issues.

PFAS chemicals can accumulate in the body over time, leading to increased risks of various diseases, particularly after long-term exposure.

These toxic chemicals have been associated with immune system suppression, hormonal disruptions, and damage to vital organs such as the liver and kidneys.

PFAS are also known to affect developmental health, potentially leading to birth defects and issues with childhood growth.

Research has highlighted increased rates of certain cancers, like kidney and testicular cancer, in communities exposed to PFAS contamination from water and soil.

Common health effects include:

• Increased risk of certain cancers
• Liver and kidney damage
• Immune system suppression
• Hormonal imbalances
• Developmental issues in children
• Thyroid disease and dysfunction

Environmental Effects of PFAS Contamination

PFAS contamination presents serious challenges not only because of its persistence but also due to its ability to travel long distances and infiltrate various ecosystems.

Recent research has shown that PFAS can affect entire food chains, starting with contamination of water sources and moving through fish and wildlife, ultimately impacting humans.

Forever chemicals also disrupt natural biological processes, leading to long-term changes in biodiversity and habitat health, often in ecosystems far removed from their original point of contamination.

Environmental effects include:

• Bioaccumulation in fish, birds, and mammals, impacting reproductive and developmental systems.
• Disruption of aquatic ecosystems due to contamination of freshwater sources.
• Migration of PFAS through soil and water, leading to contamination of agricultural lands.
• Damage to plant life and reduced soil fertility in contaminated areas.

Advances in water treatment technologies and regulatory actions are needed to address the widespread contamination and protect public health and ecosystems from PFAS.

Regulatory Responses and EPA Involvement

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been actively working to address the presence of PFAS in drinking water.

In 2021, the EPA developed a comprehensive strategic approach to address and manage PFAS contamination called the PFAS strategic roadmap.

This action plan is built with the following methods:

• Research: Conducting scientific studies and PFAS testing to understand PFAS concentrations, toxicity, and environmental behavior.
• Monitoring: Enhancing detection methods and monitoring PFAS levels in water sources.
• Regulation: Developing regulatory standards and guidelines for PFAS in drinking water and other media.
• Clean-up: Promoting clean-up efforts at contaminated sites through Superfund and other programs.
• Engagement: Collaborating with federal, state, local, and tribal partners, as well as engaging with the public on how PFAS affects human health.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) published a “contamination map” to visualize the breadth of PFAS contamination nationwide.

Currently, the organization shared that 1,593 water sites have detectable PFAS levels.

In April 2024, the EPA finalized the new guidelines, the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR), to establish maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for PFAS, specifically targeting PFOA and PFOS.

The proposed limits aim to ensure safe drinking water by setting enforceable standards to reduce exposure to these harmful chemicals.

Despite the nationwide rule changes, local health department of highly affected states are also taking their own proactive measures.

Measures include:

• Michigan: Established some of the strictest PFAS drinking water standards in the U.S., with MCLs for several PFAS compounds.
• New Jersey: Set stringent limits for PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA in drinking water, along with requirements for monitoring and reporting.
• California: Adopted notification levels and response levels for PFAS in drinking water, requiring water systems to inform consumers of PFAS detections.

Legal Battles and Types of PFAS Lawsuits

Municipalities and government entities have filed lawsuits against PFAS manufacturers to recover costs associated with contamination clean-up and infrastructure upgrades.

These lawsuits seek financial compensation for:

• Remediation Efforts: Cleaning up contaminated soil, water, and sediments.
• Infrastructure Improvements: Upgrading water treatment facilities to remove PFAS.
• Public Health Initiatives: Addressing health impacts and monitoring PFAS levels.

Some of the key large-scale PFAS lawsuits include:

• Minnesota vs. 3M: Minnesota settled with 3M for $850 million in 2018 to address PFAS contamination affecting drinking water in the Twin Cities area.
• Chemours and DuPont Settlements: Both companies have faced numerous lawsuits and have settled multiple cases involving PFAS contamination, including a $670 million settlement in 2017 for contamination in the Ohio River Valley.

Lawsuits involving exposure to AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam) or PFAS-containing firefighter turnout gear are being included in the current AFFF multidistrict litigation (MDL).

These cases focus on individuals, primarily firefighters and military personnel, who were directly exposed to PFAS through these products, as well as some community water contamination cases near military bases.

The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) consolidated these cases due to the widespread nature of the contamination and health issues involved.

Claims typically seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering related to PFAS-induced illnesses.

Despite the MDL’s ongoing status, there have not yet been settlements or verdicts for personal injury claims.

However, the large settlements reached in other PFAS-related cases involving environmental contamination may influence future personal injury outcomes.

TorHoerman Law: Talk to Our Attorneys to Learn More

The battle against PFAS contamination is ongoing, requiring concerted efforts from regulators, communities, and the legal system.

While challenges remain, continued advocacy, technological innovation, and legal intervention are essential to protect public health and the environment from forever chemicals.

TorHoerman Law has a team of experienced PFAS lawyers dedicated to helping affected individuals seek compensation for their damages.

If you’ve been exposed to PFAS contaminated water and subsequently developed cancer or other serious health effects, you may be eligible to file a PFAS Water Contamination Lawsuit.

Contact the PFAS Exposure Lawyers at TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

Use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for a PFAS Exposure Lawsuit.