The Texas Tribune
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit Wednesday against chemical giants 3M and DuPont, accusing them of decades-long misrepresentations and omissions regarding the safety of PFAS, or 性视界传媒渇orever chemicals,性视界传媒 sold for use in countless consumer products.
These products, sold under brand names such as Teflon, Stainmaster, and Scotchgard, have been staples in households across the nation despite mounting evidence that they contain chemicals that are harmful to human health.
性视界传媒淭hese companies knew for decades that PFAS chemicals could cause serious harm to human health yet continued to advertise them as safe for household use around families and children,性视界传媒 Paxton said in a press release. 性视界传媒淭exas is taking action to penalize these companies and hold them accountable for deceiving Texans into buying consumer products without vital information.性视界传媒
Daniel Turner, a spokesperson for DuPont, said in an email that the company has never manufactured PFOA and PFOS 性视界传媒 two types of PFAS chemicals 性视界传媒 or firefighting foam.
性视界传媒淲hile we don性视界传媒檛 comment on litigation matters, we believe this complaint is without merit, and we look forward to vigorously defending our record of safety, health and environmental stewardship,性视界传媒 Turner wrote.
Representatives of 3M could not be immediately reached for comment.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a family of manmade chemicals used to make products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. Some estimates list more than 12,000 types of individual PFAS. They性视界传媒檝e been used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1940s and have earned the name 性视界传媒渇orever chemicals性视界传媒 because they don性视界传媒檛 break down and can persist in water and soil indefinitely.
Exposure to specific PFAS has been linked to certain types of cancer, birth defects, damage to the liver and immune system. They also accumulate in animals, plants, and humans, contaminating drinking water and even circulating in human blood.
The lawsuit was filed in Johnson County nine days after a Texas Tribune story featured farmers in that county who have sued a fertilizer company, alleging the fertilizer they sell, which is made from municipal waste, contained PFAS that poisoned their land and killed their livestock. The farmers say they are not able to make a living off their own land because of the contamination.
Dana Ames, the environmental crime investigator for Johnson County who discovered the contamination on the farmers性视界传媒 land, said the lawsuit represents a significant step forward in the ongoing fight against PFAS contamination.
性视界传媒淚 was over the moon. It性视界传媒檚 a legal issue and he性视界传媒檚 [Paxton] our top lawyer for the state so I am very encouraged to see that he has taken this action,性视界传媒 Ames said.
Many other farmers in other parts of the country have also shut down their operations due to PFAS contamination after using fertilizer made from 性视界传媒渂iosolids性视界传媒 produced from human waste.
Laura Dumais, a staff attorney with Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, said Paxton性视界传媒檚 lawsuit underlines how addressing PFAS is not a partisan issue. The environmental group helped the Texas farmers with PFAS testing.
性视界传媒淎s the overwhelming scope of the 性视界传媒榝orever chemicals性视界传媒 crisis becomes increasingly apparent, Americans across the spectrum of political affiliation are clamoring for an end to the poisoning of their land, water, and food,性视界传媒 Dumais said. 性视界传媒淚 hope that emerging lawsuits, along with increased public awareness, will begin to make a difference.性视界传媒
DuPont and 3M are two of the most prominent companies associated with these chemicals. Both companies have been historically involved in the manufacture, use and distribution of PFAS. In 2022, 3M announced plans to exit PFAS manufacturing by 2025 as part of its response to growing environmental and legal pressures.
According to Paxton性视界传媒檚 lawsuit, 3M and DuPont marketed their PFAS products for more than 70 years despite knowing the dangers for more than half a century. The suit alleges that the companies concealed critical risks, misrepresented safety claims, and continued promoting the chemicals as safe for consumer use. The state is seeking $1 million or more in damages, including civil penalties, attorneys性视界传媒 fees and costs.
Texas had already taken legal action against PFAS manufacturers, including a lawsuit against Aqueous Film Forming Foam, a firefighting product that has polluted Texas lands and waterways.
性视界传媒淎ttorney General Paxton has been at the forefront of holding companies responsible for exposing people to dangerous 性视界传媒榝orever chemicals.性视界传媒 性视界传媒 said a statement from the AG性视界传媒檚 office. 性视界传媒淭oday性视界传媒檚 lawsuit marks a new stage in PFAS litigation.性视界传媒
Texas has found PFAS contamination in some drinking water systems: Nearly 50 public water systems across the state have reported exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency性视界传媒檚 newly-released PFAS limits for drinking water.
