Brigette Honaker  |  March 5, 2020

Category: Consumer News

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Two firefighters apply foam.The National Rural Water Association has filed a PFAS class action lawsuit against the makers of firefighting foam products, accusing them of contaminating groundwater with carcinogens.

The PFAS class action, along with similar allegations, claims that 3M and other manufacturers negligently failed to test for a dangerous group of “forever” chemicals which are linked with cancer risks.

According to the NRWA and the Tennessee town of Milling, water in Milling and other areas was contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This group includes manufactured chemicals such as PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many more.

PFAS chemicals are called “forever chemicals” because they are extremely persistent, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These chemicals do not break down over time and instead accumulate in the body and environment.

Plaintiffs in the PFAS class action lawsuit claim that 3M manufactured aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) products containing PFAS chemicals. When AFFF products are used, the PFAS chemicals within them are allegedly left in the environment – even in drinking water. Additionally, the firefighters, military members, airport workers, and others are allegedly exposed to the PFAS chemicals.

Unfortunately, these PFAS chemicals can reportedly cause significant health problems including cancer. Bladder cancer, breast cancer, kidney cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, neuroendocrine tumors, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer may be associated with PFAS exposure.

The NRWA claims that 3M negligently manufactured their AFFF products with PFAS chemicals despite knowing about the contamination and health risks.

“Defendants were aware that PFAS chemicals are toxic to animals and humans, do not biodegrade, are persistent in the environment, move easily through soil and groundwater, and pose a significant risk to the environment and human health,” the PFAS class action lawsuit claims.

“Nevertheless, they elected to manufacture, market, and sell these chemicals, placing profits over human health and the environment.”

The NRWA PFAS Class Action Lawsuit is City of Millington, et al. v. 3M Company, et al., Case No. 1:20-cv-00546, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Other PFAS Class Action Lawsuit Allegations

3M is not the only company to be hit with legal action over PFAS chemicals. Recently, an Ohio jury ruled that DuPont Co. must pay $50 million to a survivor of testicular cancer and his wife. The multi-million dollar award included $40 million in compensatory damages for plaintiff Travis A. along with $10 million for “loss of consortium” awarded to Travis’ wife.

Travis allegedly developed testicular cancer after drinking PFAS-contaminated water. Although the jury held DuPont accountable for the plaintiff’s cancer, they did not find that the company acting with malice when handling the alleged PFAS contamination. As a result, the company will not be forced to pay punitive damages on top of the $50 million already awarded.

“The verdict was a product of district court rulings that severely and improperly limited our defenses in this case,” DuPont said in a statement, according to Bloomberg. “We will vigorously challenge those rulings and the verdict on appeal.”

The DuPont PFAS Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-998 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

If you or someone you love developed cancer after being exposed to firefighting foam, you may have a legal claim. Fill out the form on this page now to find out if you qualify to participate in a free firefighting foam lawsuit investigation.

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