by Williams Cedar, LLC | Jul 14, 2023 | Environmental Law
In a new study by the US Geological Survey (USGS), at least 45% of all tap water in the United States is contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly referred to as PFAS. This survey, published on July 5, found detectable traces of these potentially dangerous chemicals in many major urban areas, as well as locations across the Great Plains, Great Lakes, Eastern Seaboard, and Central/Southern California regions. Both public and private wells were found to have been contaminated by PFAS.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS are a class of chemicals that are commonly used in the manufacturing of many consumer and industrial products, including non-stick pans, stain-resistant clothing, and fire extinguishing foam. However, these chemicals are known for causing a number of serious health issues, including liver damage, kidney damage, reduced immune function, and an increased risk of cancer and birth defects. Even worse, these “forever chemicals” are known for being incredibly resilient, refusing to break down in the environment and accumulating within people’s bodies over the course of months or years.
What Did the Study Find?
The USGS survey tested tap water at 716 locations around the country for the presence of 32 of the most common PFAS. Based on these tests, it was found that at least 45% of the tap water across the United States was contaminated with detectable levels of PFAS. Contamination was lowest in protected lands and other places with stringent environmental protections, while it was highest in urban areas and locations close to places where PFAS is manufactured.
Why Was This Study Done?
This study was meant to help understand just how widespread PFAS contamination is. Due to the resilient nature of these chemicals, it can be incredibly difficult to clean up once it has contaminated the environment, and people who ingest these chemicals can retain them in their bodies indefinitely. With this information, people have a better idea of just how many Americans are affected by these hazardous chemicals.
What Can You Do If You Have Been Affected by PFAS?
If your property has been contaminated by PFAS or if you think that you have been sickened as a result of exposure to PFAS, , you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling environmental contamination cases. They can help you to explore your legal options, and ensure you get the testing, filtration, and compensation you deserve for the harm you have suffered.
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.
by Williams Cedar, LLC | 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.
by Williams Cedar, LLC | 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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by Williams Cedar, LLC | 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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by Williams Cedar, LLC | 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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by Williams Cedar, LLC | 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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