Forever chemicals are present in water across the United States. Below, we will detail what this means for you and your health.
What Are Forever Chemicals?
Forever chemicals are another name for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals valued for their resistance to heat, oil, grease, water, and stains.
PFAS have been used since the 1940s, and their dangers became apparent in the early 2000s.
How Forever Chemicals Get Into Water
Forever chemicals are named as such because they do not break down in the environment, in water, or in our bodies. Forever chemicals can leach into the air or travel through soil into groundwater, rivers, and private wells.
There are several ways forever chemicals can get into the water:
- They can be dumped into waterways by negligent manufacturing plants.
- AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam or firefighting foam) can leach into the ground and bind to the soil. AFFF is used at airports, firehouses, and fire training areas.
- They can be released into the air or ground soil through manufacturing plants or waste treatment facilities.
- They can also seep into the soil from sewer treatment discharge.
Dangers of Forever Chemicals in Water
Forever chemicals in drinking water have been linked to several different types of serious illnesses. The National Cancer Institute’s Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics (DCEG) found a higher incidence of kidney cancer and death in people who work or live near a PFAS-producing chemical plant, specifically those who were exposed to PFOA.
The DCEG researchers also found elevated PFAS levels in the blood of firefighters or those who lived at a base with water contaminated with high levels of PFAS. They found that those who had higher levels of PFOS in their blood had a higher risk of testicular cancer.
Backing up DCEG, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) states that PFOA has been linked to both kidney and testicular cancer.
Research is ongoing to determine the effects of other PFAS.
Are There Certain Areas With Higher Levels of Water Contamination?
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a study found that high exposure levels are found near urban areas and certain sources. Much of the exposure was found in:
- Central and Southern California
- The Eastern Seaboard
- The Great Plains
- The Great Lakes
Potential sources of PFAS include:
- Military bases
- Production plants or industrial sites
- Water treatment facilities
- Landfills
- Firehouses and fire training sites
Is the Government Doing Anything About Forever Chemicals in Drinking Water?
The federal government only recently began taking action about forever chemicals in water. Before the Biden-Harris administration passed the first national standard for drinking water, there was only an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guideline that was legally unenforceable.
In an attempt to protect their residents, several states passed their own drinking water standards that were much lower than the EPA’s guideline.
Contaminated Water Lawsuits
Many states have also filed contaminated water lawsuits against manufacturers and insurance companies. While many are ongoing, a few have reached settlements. For example, Michigan sued Wolverine Worldwide and obtained a $69.5 million settlement in 2019.
Public water utilities have also sued manufacturers for water contamination. While many of these lawsuits are also ongoing, several have reached sizeable settlements:
- $750 million settlement between Tyco subsidiary with several public water systems in the U.S.
- $1.18 billion settlement between DuPont de Nemours, Chemours, and Corteva, and U.S. water utilities
- $10.3 billion settlement 3M and U.S. water suppliers
Qualifying for a PFAS Mass Tort Lawsuit
After reading all this, you may be wondering whether you or a loved one may be eligible to file a PFAS lawsuit. If you meet the following criteria, you may qualify:
- You consumed contaminated drinking water over a period of at least six consecutive months after January 1, 1990, AND
- You received a valid diagnosis of testicular cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, or ulcerative colitis.
To prove you received a diagnosis, you just need to furnish your medical records. Establishing your exposure can be more difficult. You can check whether you lived or worked in or near a high-exposure area via maps maintained by PFAS-REACH and ATSDR. Our team will also help you determine whether you meet the criteria.
Once you have determined you meet the criteria, a lawyer can help you join a mass tort and build a robust case on your behalf. You may be entitled to the following damages:
- Medical bills, including treatment costs, prescription medications, hospitalization, and co-pays
- Lost wages for any time your illness required you to take off work
- Lost earning capacity if your injury required you to move to part-time work, take a lower-paying job, or retire
- Any other out-of-pocket expenses related to your illness
- Pain and suffering
- Inconvenience
- Lost quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
- Depression and anxiety
Get Started on Your Forever Chemicals Lawsuit Today
Our team wants to get you the compensation you need for a PFAS-related illness. The Guardian Legal Network can help you determine whether you qualify for a lawsuit and connect you to a PFAS lawsuit attorney in your area.
Attorneys typically handle these cases on a contingency-fee basis, which means no upfront costs for you.
Call us today to get started: (844) 207-0415.