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$10.3 Billion Settlement Reached in PFAS Lawsuit Against 3M

by | Jul 14, 2023 | Environmental Law

The major chemical manufacturer, 3M Co., has agreed to pay $10.3 billion as part of a settlement with water providers over their role in contaminating water sources with perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, collectively known as PFAS. These chemicals, which are commonly used in the manufacturing of many consumer products, have been linked to a number of serious health conditions, including birth defects in pregnant women. The settlement is meant to help redress communities that have been affected as a result of exposure to these chemicals.

What Are PFAS?

            Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly referred to as PFAS, are a type of chemical used in a variety of industrial and commercial contexts. Among other things, they are used in firefighting foam to combat certain types of dangerous fires and are also used to make non-stick and stain-resistant surfaces for things like cookware and clothing. They are sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals” because of how resistant they are to breaking down, meaning they persist in the environment for long periods.

What Are the Dangers of PFAS?

            Exposure to PFAS has been tied to a number of serious health conditions. These include, but are not limited to:

  • High cholesterol
  • Liver damage and changes in liver enzymes
  • Increased risk of certain types of cancer, including kidney, breast, and testicular cancer
  • Increased risk of thyroid disease
  • Decreased fertility
  • Increased risk of miscarriage
  • Low birth weight in newborn infants
  • Reduced vaccine response in infants
  • Increased risk of pregnancy complications, such as pre-eclampsia

Why Did 3M Agree to This Settlement?

            3M is one of the largest manufacturers of PFAS in the world, and has profited immensely off the sale of these chemicals for decades. However, it was facing at least 300 lawsuits from local water providers after its chemicals were found to have contaminated their water sources. The money from this settlement is meant to help address the costs of cleaning up the contamination, a process that is likely to take years.

What Should You Do if You Have Been Affected by PFAS?

            If you are in a community that has been affected by PFAS and you or someone you love has experienced the symptoms above, you may be able to seek compensation for the harm you have suffered. That is why you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling environmental contamination claims. They can help you to explore all of your legal rights, and ensure you receive the justice you deserve.

            Williams Cedar is a law firm dedicated to helping clients with personal injury, environmental law, and civil rights cases. We specialize in assisting clients who have been injured due to exposure to environmental toxins, including veterans and their loved ones. If you need legal assistance due to toxic exposure or other related matters, please give us a call at our New Jersey and Pennsylvania offices at (215) 557-0099, or visit our contact page.

Prenatal Exposure to Phthalates Leads to Reduced Lung Function in Children, Study Finds

by | Nov 15, 2022 | Environmental Law, Personal Injury Law

A study recently released by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, and published in Environmental Pollution, has found that prenatal exposure to phthalates can lead to reduced lung function in children. This study found that these chemicals, which are in many consumer goods (including some given to children), can severely impact a child’s development, leading to long-term health problems. While heavily restricted, the phthalate use remains legal in the United States for some purposes.

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EPA Proposes Regulation of PFOA and PFOS “Forever Chemicals”

by | Sep 29, 2022 | Environmental Law

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has put forward new proposed regulations that, if adopted, would designate two common chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, as hazardous. The chemicals, known as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), are used in the manufacture of a number of household and industrial products, but have been tied to cancer and other serious health conditions. These regulations represent the first serious attempt by the agency to regulate these so-called “forever chemicals,” which have become pervasive in the environment.

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Study Says Nine Million Killed Every Year By Environmental Pollution

by | Aug 31, 2022 | Environmental Law, Personal Injury Law

According to a recent study, as many as nine million people every year are killed around the world as a result of environmental pollution. The total cost to the global economy as a result of this pollution is estimated to be around $4.6 trillion per year, resulting from health care costs and other expenses caused by unmitigated pollution. While Africa is the hardest hit region in the world, there are still many places in America where people are sickened and killed by pollution every year.

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PA Fails to Address Benner Township Water Contamination for Two Years

by | Jul 26, 2022 | Environmental Law

State officials in Pennsylvania are facing a public outcry after it was revealed that they failed to test wells in Benner Township for water contamination for more than two years. This led the contamination to go unaddressed for all that time, meaning that people were unknowingly consuming toxic chemicals that could have a negative impact on their long-term health. Residents are now demanding that the state provide answers regarding how their water was contaminated, and why the authorities did not warn them before now. They also want to know which parties are responsible for the contamination.

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Camp Lejeune Victims Can Now Sue For Contaminated Water Exposure

by | Jul 6, 2022 | Environmental Law, Product Liability Law

Congress recently passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, which will allow people who were harmed by contaminated water at the historic military base to sue for compensation. Up until now, people who lived at Camp Lejeune suffered from serious illnesses, including life-altering disabilities, without an opportunity to obtain justice. With the passage of this law, victims will now be able to bring lawsuits against the government for all the harm they suffered.

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