Home / Crime and Justice / Judge Rules: Toxic "Forever Chemicals" in Gear Can Sue
Judge Rules: Toxic "Forever Chemicals" in Gear Can Sue
16 Sep
Summary
- Firefighters claim protective gear leached toxic chemicals increasing cancer risk.
- A judge ruled that lawsuits can proceed against manufacturers of the gear.
- The chemicals, known as PFAS, are widely used and do not break down easily.
A federal judge has ruled that more than 20 defendants, including prominent companies like 3M, DuPont, and Honeywell, must face lawsuits filed by Connecticut firefighters. These firefighters contend that their protective gear, known as "turnout gear," has been contaminated with toxic "forever chemicals," potentially increasing their risk of cancer. The judge determined that the plaintiffs have standing to sue and can seek damages and medical monitoring, even if they exhibit no outward signs of illness.
The lawsuit specifically targets per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in the gear, which lawyers argue leach through skin absorption, ingestion, and inhalation. The court found sufficient allegations that 3M, a major PFAS producer, had a duty to warn about these risks and acted negligently. Materials like 3M's Scotchlite and DuPont's Kevlar are named in the complaint. This legal action, initiated in June 2024, is reportedly the first class action exclusively focused on firefighter gear containing PFAS.
PFAS are notorious for their persistence, earning the nickname "forever chemicals" due to their inability to easily break down in the environment or the human body. They have been linked to a range of health concerns, including elevated cholesterol and reduced antibody responses. This case follows a 2023 settlement where several companies, including DuPont and 3M, agreed to over $11 billion in settlements concerning PFAS contamination of drinking water, though no wrongdoing was admitted.
