“Forever Chemicals” – Chemicals that don’t go away
Commonly known as “forever chemicals”, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) are manufactured by major corporations like 3M, Honeywell, and DuPont, and used in industry and consumer products, since the 1940s. One common, concerning characteristic PFAs have is that they break down very slowly and can persist in your body, animals, and the environment for decades.
‘Forever Chemicals’ are in drinking water, food, personal and household products
Instead of breaking down, PFAs leach into the water supply. They are also found in food, food packaging, personal care products, such as certain shampoo, dental floss, and cosmetics, cleaning products, household products like non-stick cookware, fast food packaging and paints, varnishes and sealants.
Scientific studies show exposure to PFAs may lead to health problems
Research suggests a link between PFAs and diseases like prostate cancer, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, decreased fertility, developmental effects or delays in children, including low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations, or behavioral changes, and reduced ability of the body’s immune system to fight infections, including reduced vaccine response, as well as increased cholesterol levels and/or risk of obesity.
Lawsuits resulting in millions of dollars in settlements as citizens take action
Cities, water utilities and other parties have sued manufacturers to compensate them for the cost of cleaning PFAs out of water. Last year, 3M, Honeywell and Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corp. agreed to pay $65.25 million to settle a suit filed by a New York town and residents. In 2017, DuPont and Chemours settled thousands of suits for $671 million. Citizens who believe they have been affected by “forever chemicals” are taking action in consumer suits as well: Burger King, McDonald’s, L’Oreal and others face litigation.
Schonbrun Seplow Harris Hoffman & Zeldes, LLP is investigating potential claims against major corporations for their role in the “forever chemicals” problem. If you have purchased any products containing forever chemicals such as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), feel free to contact a class action attorney at Schonbrun Seplow Harris Hoffman & Zeldes, LLP for a free, confidential consultation. You can reach us by completing and submitting the case evaluation form below or by calling us at 619-400-4990.