PFAS Water Contamination Lawsuit

Major US companies like Dupont and 3M are facing a wave of lawsuits accusing them of knowingly polluting water supplies with PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These substances, commonly known as “forever chemicals”, may cause cancer and serious thyroid disease. Individuals, municipalities, and states are bringing the companies to court to seek compensation for injuries, clean-up costs, and punitive damages. 3M has already agreed to a settlement of over $10 billion, but other plaintiffs are pursuing legal action to ensure these companies cover the costs for PFAS water pollution.

April 16, 2025

SELC tells EPA that toxic PFAS contamination can be avoided. SELC's comments on EPA's risk assessment show that contaminated sewage sludge is a danger to farming families and communities.

April 10, 2025

California Assembly committee passes bill to limit "forever chemicals" in drinking water.

April 7, 2025

Michigan's newest PFAS danger: contamination from household septic system. JT Anderson in his kitchen in the Cadillac Industrial Park. Anderson's well at home was contaminated by PFAS. This contamination is likely due to heavy industry in the Industrial Park. A state investigation found that other Cadillac residents had unintentionally contaminated their wells with household chemicals by flushing them down the drain.

April 3, 2025

New EPA data reveals that over 37 million Americans are drinking water that exceeds federal PFAS safety limits. The data delay and regulatory rollbacks have raised concerns that current protections could be weakened. These findings underscore the basis of multiple PFAS-related lawsuits across the U.S., where plaintiffs claim exposure from contaminated water led to cancer and other health complications. It also raises the stakes for pending environmental justice litigation.

April 1, 2025

Residents in a Colorado community were recently alerted that their drinking water is contaminated with PFAS, sparking alarm and immediate changes in water use. As more areas across the U.S. discover PFAS in their water supply, the situation underscores the challenges of addressing contamination from these widespread, persistent chemicals found in everyday household products.

March 27, 2025

District officials in Washington, D.C. have issued a fish consumption advisory on fish caught in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers due to PFAS contamination. Both PFAS and heavy metals were detected in a number of fish caught in both rivers. The advisory states that eel, carp, largemouth bass, and striped bass caught in the rivers had the highest levels of PFAS. It also recommended that residents limit their consumption of sunfish, perch, and catfish caught in the Anacostia and the Potomac.

March 25, 2025

Concerns over PFAS contamination in private drinking wells have intensified following state investigations in Michigan. Findings suggest that common household products, rather than industrial sources alone, may be contributing to groundwater pollution. With PFAS exposure linked to serious health risks, discussions around water safety and regulatory gaps remain a growing issue for affected communities.

March 20, 2025

In North Carolina, news reports have revealed that utility companies had a heavy hand in creating new monitoring and minimization requirements for PFAS dischargers. Many people in the state have concerns, as the North Carolina Deparrment of Environmental Quality's Division of Water Resources have stated that community and environmental group suggestions on the regulations will no longer be accepted.

March 16, 2025

New reports from Jackson County, Michigan indicated the presence of PFAS in 19 residential wells located near the Jackson County Airport. State officials report that the amount of PFAS chemicals found in the wells were within legal safety limits. The manager of the Jackson County Airport stated that the groundwater could have become contaminated following the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams at the airport.

March 13, 2025

Water provider Aqua files suit against chemical company for alleged PFAS contamination at West Chester - The lawsuit claims that French company Arkema negligently released PFAS into Goose Creek Watershed in West Chester.

March 9, 2025

French company Arkema is being sued by a water provider after the company allegedly contaminated waters in West Chester, Pennsylvania, with PFAS. The lawsuit states that Arkema's mishandling of PFAS has harmed the drinking water of about 16,000 residents of Philadelphia suburbs. Aqua states that they have spent millions of dollars to remove PFAS from the water supply, and want to be reimbursed for costs associated with PFAS removal.

March 5, 2025

Dr. Leonardo Trasande, professor of pediatrics and population health at New York University, gave an interview on the effect of PFAS. According to Dr. Trasande, "Kids are uniquely vulnerable to PFAS for many reasons. Pound for bound, they eat more food, they breathe in more air and drink more water, and so they have higher exposure. They also have developing organ systems that are susceptible to the consequences of PFAS and other endocrine disrupting chemicals."

March 3, 2025

W.L. Gore and Associates, maker of the outdoor gear brand Gore-Tex, is the latest company under fire for their use of PFAS. A class-action lawsuit has been filed against the company for concealing its use of PFAS in their water- and stain-resistant outdoor products.

March 1, 2025

A new class action PFAS lawsuit has been filed—this time, against tech giant Apple. Filers allege that some Apple Watch wristbands contain high levels of PFAS, potentially presenting a health hazard to wearers. PFAS exposure has been linked to serious health issues, including cancer and pregnancy complications.

February 24, 2025

The Trump Administration stopped a Biden Administration plan that would have put limits on the amount of PFAS chemicals manufacturing facilities could release into local waters. Officials at the Environmental Working Group say this news is devastating, as it gives polluters a "green light" to continue adding these toxic, forever chemicals to the environment.

February 19, 2025

News of PFAS contamination is unfortunately becoming more common across the United States. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has determined that much of the public drinking water throughout Tennessee is currently contaminated with PFAS. Vanderbilt University in Nashville was recently granted over $350,000 to complete research to uncover the full extent of PFAS water contamination in Tennessee.

February 12, 2025

The city of Wausau, Wisconsin has filed a federal lawsuit against several area companies alleging contamination of public water with PFAS. Companies named in the suit include Wausau Chemical Corporation, Graphic Packaging International LLC, and Georgia-Pacific LLC. Wausau's public water supply serves about 40,000 residents.

February 9, 2025

A new water contamination lawsuit has been filed by the County of Santa Clara in California, alleging that the defendants contaminated the drinking water supplies with PFAS chemicals released during their firefighting foam manufacturing process.

February 1, 2025

A professor at UNC Charlotte has developed a water filtration system that both removes PFAS from water and stops PFAS from returning to the environment post-filtration. Researchers are also working to develop enzymes that break down PFAS molecules in soil.

January 29, 2025

A new lawsuit against Chemours, a West Virginia PFAS plant, alleges that the company has continually polluted the Ohio River with toxic substances. The river runs through Parkersburg, an Appalacian town of about 50,000. The Environmental Protection Agency has required Chemours to take corrective action, and thus far, nothing has been done.

January 26, 2025

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS can be found in a variety of materials, including drinking water, soil, fire extinguishing foam, food packaging, household products, personal care products, and more. In time, it's likely that additional lawsuits against companies like 3M and Dupont will be filed as the links between certain cancers and PFAS continue to be solidified.

January 21, 2025

A new study linking PFAS contamination in drinking water to thousands of cancer cases each year across the U.S. adds to concerns about the health risks of these chemicals. It points to links to several cancers, with significant sex-specific differences, and adds to the increasing body of evidence against manufacturers and water suppliers. These findings will help establish liability and quantify damages in ongoing lawsuits over PFAS exposure.

January 12, 2025

Maryland's Lawsuit Against W.L. Gore & Associates: In December 2024, Maryland filed a federal lawsuit against W.L. Gore & Associates, the manufacturer of Gore-Tex, alleging that the company knowingly polluted the environment with PFAS. The lawsuit focuses on 13 facilities in northeastern Maryland, accusing the company of contaminating air and water and endangering public health. Gore has denied wrongdoing, stating it has cooperated with regulators and taken steps to address contamination.

January 7, 2025

Earlier this week, the City filed a suit against the United States Air Force for the contamination of Tucson's water supply with per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS), released by Davis Monthan Air Force Base.

The Federal Tort Claim Act allows for the recovery of past, current and future damages due to the ongoing PFAS contamination in the City's water supply, caused by chemicals used by Air Force personnel at the base.

January 1, 2025

Texas lawsuit accuses 3M, DuPont of concealing harm from "forever chemicals"

December 1, 2024

3M video depositions shed light on PFAS litigation, company’s research.

November 11, 2024

A report from NRDC in 2021 identified landfills, wastewater plants, oil and gasoline facilities, metal plating and airports as sources of PFAS contamination. A report by NRDC in 2021 identified landfills, wastewater treatment plants, oil and gas facilities, metal plating facilities, and airports as likely sources of drinking water contamination.

November 10, 2024

Natural sources are the main source of arsenic found in California's water. Arsenic can be found in geological formations, and disturbed by human activities such as drilling and mining. Arsenic is a toxic substance that can enter soil and groundwater. It then contaminates drinking water. California State Water Resources Control Board cites forest fires and volcanic activity as the two most common sources of arsenic found in groundwater.

November 7, 2024

CA residents and workers continue to sue chemical manufacturers who produce products with PFAS after becoming ill from drinking water contaminated with toxic substances. Thousands of people are seeking compensation for treatment costs, lost wages and other damages. 

November 6, 2024

CA continues to monitor PFAS and address concerns. The widespread nature of the contamination, however, leaves many communities, particularly those who are vulnerable, no choice but continue to consume toxic water. In April 2024 several public water systems in the state decided to sue PFAS producers to support clean water initiatives. This lawsuit is a response to the EPA decision to set enforceable PFAS limits in drinking water.

• November 1, 2024 - Rural Missouri groups threaten lawsuit over PFAS in meatpacking sludge. Meatpacking waste sludge is spread as fertilizer on farmland and can wash into waterways.
• October 1, 2024 - PFAS everywhere: A Mass. class action lawsuit may set a new standard for damages.
• September 1, 2024 - Lawsuit settled against northwest Georgia city over toxin-laden drinking water
• August 1, 2024 - A win for public health: Court rejects Chemours lawsuit to scrap EPA health advisory

The PFAS water contamination lawsuits have been going on for several years now. In fact, companies like 3M have been facing – and been forced to settle – lawsuits since 2001. However, as public awareness has risen about the dangers of PFAS and its links to serious illnesses like cancer, in recent years, the number of lawsuits has swelled. One of the key milestones in recent PFAS lawsuits was the settlement agreement reached by 3M, which saw the company agree to pay $10.3 billion – one of the largest settlements for an environmental lawsuit in US history. Yet, individuals, many of whom claim to have been injured by PFAS exposure, are continuing to launch compensation cases against these companies.

The links between PFAS-contaminated water and serious illness have been acknowledged as far back as the 1960s. Interestingly, some of the earliest research actually comes from Dupont and 3M, both of whom have been accused of concealing evidence of PFAS risks. However, more recent scientific studies have further proven the link between PFAS and health risks, especially cancer. Much of the research comes from the findings of the C8 Health Project Panel, which produced a wide-ranging report in 2012.

PFAS Kidney Cancer

Exposure to PFAS has most notably been linked to an increased risk of kidney cancer. Studies have shown that these chemicals can accumulate in the kidneys, leading to cellular damage and the potential development of cancerous cells in the kidneys.

PFAS Testicular Cancer

PFAS exposure is also associated with a heightened risk of testicular cancer. This type of cancer is believed to be influenced by the hormonal disruptions caused by PFAS, leading to abnormal cell growth in the testes.

PFAS Liver Cancer

PFAS chemicals are known to affect liver function, which can result in liver cancer. These elements can cause liver cells to mutate and grow in such a way that they can lead to malignant tumors.

PFAS Thyroid Cancer

Exposure to PFAS has been linked to thyroid cancer due to the chemicals' impact on the regulations of thyroid hormones. PFAS can disrupt endocrine function, leading to the development of cancerous growths in the thyroid gland.

PFAS Ulcerative Colitis

PFAS exposure is linked with causing inflammatory bowel diseases, including ulcerative colitis. These chemicals can cause chronic inflammation in the digestive tract, potentially leading to ulcers and increasing the risk of colon cancer.

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) produced its first-ever national drinking water standards for PFAS. The guidelines, which will benefit from $9 billion in funding for testing and treatment of suspected PFAS-contaminated water, are designed to protect people from the health risks of PFAS exposure.

PFAS water contamination has been reported across the United States, especially in regions with industrial sites and military bases. These include, but are not limited to, Michigan (Kent and Kalamazoo counties), Minnesota (Minneapolis and St Paul), California (San Francisco and the Bay Area), and North Carolina (Fayetteville). In the latter, for example, heavy levels of PFAS contamination were found in the Cape Fear River, which provides drinking water to around one million North Carolina residents. 

Both Dupont and 3M have been forced to pay huge settlements in the past. As mentioned, there was 3M’s landmark $10.3 billion settlement agreed in June 2023. This came two years after a $4 billion settlement agreed by Dupont, Chemours, and Corteva. In 2018, 3M agreed to a $850 million settlement in Minnesota. One of the earliest settlements came from Dupont in 2005, paying $18.5 million to settle a class-action lawsuit in West Virginia. It’s not clear to what degree individuals with active PFAS lawsuits will benefit from the suits, or exactly how much compensation they will receive as part of any settlement agreement. But the dollar amount could be significant, especially if they have had serious illnesses like cancer.

What is PFAS Contamination in water?

PFAS are a group of chemicals that are resistant to degradation (breaking down into simpler substances). As such, PFAS chemicals have earned the moniker “forever chemicals.” They can enter the water system in a variety of ways, such as industrial waste, and from firefighting foams, landfills, and other activities linked to industrial and, sometimes, military sites. Studies have been ongoing for several decades to prove the link between PFAS exposure and diseases like cancer. In recent years, governments have launched initiatives to both treat PFAS-contaminated sites and raise public awareness of PFAS dangers. Recent years have also been characterized by a wave of lawsuits from individuals who claim they have been injured by PFAS exposure in water.

Can I sue for PFAS exposure?

Yes, PFAS exposure lawyers are asking anyone who has been exposed to PFAS and suffered health consequences to file lawsuits against responsible parties, including companies like 3M and Dupont.

What states are suing PFAS?

States like Michigan, New Jersey, and North Carolina have filed lawsuits against PFAS manufacturers for contaminating water supplies​. Some states have already secured billions in settlements.

Can I test my water for PFAS?

Yes, you can test your water for PFAS using specialized test kits available from environmental labs.

Does boiling water remove PFAS?

No, boiling water does not remove PFAS and may actually exasperate the problem. If you are worried about PFAS in your water, contact an environmental expert for advice.

Does bottled water contain PFAS?

Some bottled water brands have been found to contain PFAS in their products. A study showed that 24 out of 43 brands tested had some level of PFAS.

Do any water filters remove PFAS?

Yes, certain water filters, such as activated carbon filters and reverse osmosis systems, can reduce PFAS levels in drinking water​.

What are PFAS chemicals in water?

PFAS chemicals in water are a group of man-made substances used in various industrial and consumer products. They are known as forever chemicals as they are highly resistant to breaking down.

What are the four components of a PFAS?

There are 1000s of different types of PFAS, each of which has a different chemical structure. They usually consist of oxygen, hydrogen, sulfur, and nitrogen atoms.

What states have PFAS in water?

Many states have reported PFAS in their water supplies, including Michigan, California, North Carolina, Minnesota, and New Jersey​.

Where do PFAS in water come from?

PFAS in water come from industrial waste, firefighting foams, consumer products like Teflon, and landfill leachate.​

Which bottled water does not contain PFAS?

Some major bottled water brands claim to be free of PFAS. These include Fiji Water and Poland Spring brands.