HADDONFIELD, NEW JERSEY — Gerald J. Williams, Partner, Williams Cedar LLP, is available to speak on new guidelines released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about safe levels of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) in drinking water.

 

The new guidelines were released on June 15 after findings that even levels as low as .004 parts per trillion for PFOA and .02 parts per trillion for PFOS, two common types of PFAs, could have negative health effects on people exposed to them.

 

PFAs are a type of chemical that has been used in industrial processes since the 1940s. These chemicals have been used in everything from non-stick frying pans to moisture-repellent fabric to fire-retardant materials. Unfortunately, PFAs are incredibly toxic, and, even in tiny amounts,1 can cause a variety of health problems, including thyroid disorders, multiple types of cancer, and low birth weight in children.

 

They also break down incredibly slowly, allowing them to accumulate to toxic levels over a prolonged period. As more information about PFAs has been learned, the lower the recommended safe concentrations for PFAs have gotten.

 

Despite this health risk, PFAs are not currently regulated by the EPA. The agency is looking to fix this and has announced its intention to issue mandatory standards for PFOAs and PFOS this fall. “These new advisories represent the good news that the federal government, after years of lagging behind regulators in states like New York and New Jersey, recognizes the severe dangers these widespread, persistent, highly toxic chemicals pose for municipal and private water supplies, even at low levels,” Mr. Williams says.

 

“For decades, the corporate manufacturers and users of PFAs have covered up these dangers, putting residents and workers at risk for serious illnesses, including cancer,” Mr. Williams says. “These new advisories won’t remove the contamination, but they will help inform the public of the ill effects, of both the ‘old’ and ‘new’ PFAs in their drinking water.”

$65m PFOA Settlement Provides Financial Compensation for Claimants

Philadelphia, February 14, 2022 (Williams Cedar Law Firm) — On February 4, 2022, Judge Lawrence E. Kahn of the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York issued an order of final approval of a partial class settlement in Baker, et al v. St. Gobain, et al. The order clears the way for implementation of an agreement reached in the Spring of 2021 between plaintiffs’ counsel and three of the corporate defendants in the case, St. Gobain Performance Plastics, Honeywell, and 3M. Valued at $65.25 million, the settlement provides for a comprehensive, 10-year medical monitoring regime for claimants exposed to PFOA, as well as substantial financial compensation to qualified property owners. At the time of the fairness held before Judge Kahn on February 3, more than 2,400 members of various subclasses had filed claims with the Court-appointed Administrator, and not a single class member had objected to the settlement. Both the financial value of the settlement and its overwhelming support from class members mark the agreement as historic. In granting approval, Judge Kahn noted that the settlement, which was accomplished after extensive litigation and arms-length negotiation, was one that was important for the region, and the nation.

PFOA is a prominent member of the family of “forever chemicals” [PFASs]. Unregulated for decades, it found widespread use in manufacturing processes, including those making moisture proof and anti-stick surfaces and coatings. In 2016, PFOA was discovered in the wells owned by the Village of Hoosick Falls, and multiple nearby private wells in the vicinity of manufacturing facilities that had utilized the chemical. PFOA, which is highly persistent in the environment, and has an unusually long half-life in human tissue, has been linked to a wide variety of health effects, including kidney and testicular cancer, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, and immunodeficiency.

The Hoosick Falls litigation is not ended with the partial settlement. Plaintiffs have not settled with defendant DuPont, a manufacturer of PFOA, and the case against DuPont for the claims asserted by the plaintiff class is continuing. In addition, there are multiple plaintiffs who have alleged in separate, individual cases that they have suffered various adverse health effects due to their exposure to PFOA. In those cases, the plaintiffs are represented by the same team of lawyers who represent the class in Baker, including Williams Cedar.

Gerald Williams, the Williams Cedar partner who has worked on the case said, “We are very pleased with Judge Kahn’s order, and proud to be part of the team of fine lawyers who helped bring about this unprecedented settlement that will benefit thousands of residents. We look forward to helping bring the rest of the litigation to a successful conclusion that will give our clients an even greater measure of justice.” Judge Kahn’s order can be seen here.

Williams Cedar is representing individuals and municipalities in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania arising from contamination of the environment with toxic chemicals, including PFOA, PFNA and other PFASs. You can request a free consultation by clicking here.