The state of New York filed a lawsuit on Thursday against 3M, DuPont, and several other companies, accusing them of causing a public nuisance by selling “forever chemicals” known as Pfas for use in consumer products while concealing their environmental and health risks for decades.
Lawsuit Details and Defendants
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the legal action, which targets the companies for allegedly misleading consumers and regulators about the dangers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (Pfas). The lawsuit was filed in a state court in Albany, the state capital. Defendants include 3M, DuPont, Chemours, Corteva, and EIDP, the latter three having been part of DuPont before being spun off.
Allegations of Concealment
The complaint alleges that the companies were aware of the toxic nature of Pfas as early as the 1940s but continued to market them for use in products such as nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, and stain-resistant carpets. According to James, the companies “hid the chemicals’ environmental and health risks from consumers for decades, even as they began phasing out some of the chemicals.” Pfas are known to persist in the environment and have been linked to health issues including cancer, liver damage, and immune system problems.
Impact and Demand for Damages
New York seeks to hold the companies accountable for the costs of cleaning up Pfas contamination across the state. The lawsuit claims that the companies’ actions have resulted in widespread pollution of water sources, soil, and air. The state is demanding that the defendants pay for remediation and natural resource damages, as well as penalties for violating state environmental laws.
