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.
What Are PFOA and PFOS?
PFOA and PFOS are types of chemicals known as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are used in the manufacture of a number of household and industrial products, most notably in non-stick cookware and packaging, as well as stain-resistant fabric and even certain types of firefighting foam. These chemicals are also used in a number of industrial processes, including automotive manufacturing, construction, electronics, and even aerospace engineering. They are well-liked because they do not stick easily to other things, but are also very resilient, and do not degrade easily.
What Makes PFOA and PFOS Dangerous?
PFOA and PFOS have been found to be extremely dangerous for humans to be exposed to, and have been linked to various types of cancers, as well as altered metabolism, reduced fertility, birth defects, and reduced immune system response against infectious diseases. To make things even worse, however, these “forever chemicals” do not break down in nature, and also do not break down in the human body. This not only allows them to build up inside people to potentially toxic levels, but also means they can contaminate the environment in a way that makes it almost impossible to get rid of them.
What Would Regulating These Chemicals Do?
The EPA is proposing regulations to reduce the use of PFOA and PFOS by designating them as hazardous chemicals under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This means that any industry that released a certain amount of these chemicals in the environment would legally need to report it, and could be held accountable for cleaning up any environmental damage caused by these chemicals. This would increase the transparency around how these chemicals enter into the environment, making it easier to prevent future contamination.
What Should You Do if You Are Affected?
If you have suffered any medical conditions related to PFOA or PFOS exposure, or due to exposure to any other environmental contaminant, you should speak to a lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney with experience handling environmental contamination cases can advise you on your rights, and help you to explore your legal options. The sooner you call, the sooner they can get to work helping you get the compensation 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.