California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Thursday the filing of a lawsuit against 18 manufacturers for allegedly producing toxic “forever chemicals” that have been proven to cause harm to human health and the environment.
Bonta alleged that the manufacturers, which include 3M and DuPont, continued to produce per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, or PFAS, despite knowing their harm.
PFAS are frequently used to produce food packaging, non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothing, pesticides and personal care products, among many other consumer products. Bonta alleges that these chemicals are in the bloodstreams of 98 percent of Californians, and prevalent in the state’s water sources, wildlife and soil.
Exposure to PFAS can cause developmental defects, multiple types of cancers, infertility and harm people’s immune systems, according to the lawsuit.
A years-long investigation alleges that manufacturers 3M and DuPont started testing the physiological and toxicological properties of PFAS as early as the 1950s, and internally concluded that they were toxic to living beings and were infiltrating the environment. But these manufacturing companies allegedly continued to manufacture PFAS, and publicly stated that science had not proven the chemicals’ harm to human health.
“In our lawsuit today, we allege that the manufacturers knew or should have known about products containing [PFAS], and that the manufacturers failed to warn about the dangers of chemicals, and in many cases, concealed them,” Bonta said.
Though there are thousands of chemicals classified as PFAS, this lawsuit targets the seven chemicals found most frequently in drinking water, surface waters and groundwater. Figures from the State Water Resources Control Board report that PFAS has been found in at least 146 water systems that serve 16 million residents.
The lawsuit is seeking injunctive relief, damages, penalties, restitution and abatement, which Bonta estimates could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The lawsuit also seeks funds to mitigate the harm of these chemicals through environmental testing, medial monitoring, replacement water and safe disposal.
“For decades, manufacturers were aware of the toxicity of these chemicals, which are so prevalent in humans, but chose to deliberately mislead the government and the public,” Bonta said at the press conference.
Bonta added that the announcement of this lawsuit is especially important on the eve of Veterans Day, as those who work or live at military bases, airports and industrial areas are more likely to be exposed to higher levels of forever chemicals.
DuPont de Nemours officials said the company years ago spun off its chemical businesses, including those involving fluorochemicals, into an entity now known as the Chemours Company, and has not produced the chemicals mentioned in the lawsuit.
“While we don’t comment on pending litigation, these complaints are without merit, and the latest example of DuPont de Nemours being improperly named in litigation. We look forward to vigorously defending our record of safety, health and environmental stewardship,” a DuPont spokesperson said.
“3M acted responsibly in connection with products containing PFAS and will defend its record of environmental stewardship,” a 3M representative wrote in a statement.
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Bonta and his envirofascists are out of control.
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Better yet Bonta should go after Pfizer and the rest of the producers of the clot shot this has caused more damage than can be imagined while others were enriched
Yeah, Bob you shake them down. Cause you knew those chemicals were a problem way back when. Now have someone writeup a bunch of statements about Bob taking on big corporations that intentionally poisoned the population for big profits.
The pollution issue may be real but the motivation is probably the cash and publicity. The government here likes to use large corporations as their ATM.
Wouldn’t you think the FDA had approved of these chemicals. Is the suit to get them to stop the manufacture of these chemicals or to enrich the states treasury. They seem to be prevalent in a wide variety of products. If the state wins a large lawsuit what will they do with the money to eliminate the problem.
So what exactly is the problem Rob? Your comments indicate that you’re suing because they continue to manufacture Scotch Guard or Teflon. If these “forever chemicals” are such an issue, then just have the legislature ban their manufacture and sale in CA. Not just in food packaging and cosmetics. Ban all of them for any reason. Problem solved!
Or, you can mandate a warning on the packaging that “forever chemicals” are present and cause health problems. Something similar to warning labels on tobacco or alcohol. Let the adults choose whether or not they want to risk their health by applying long lasting mascara and lotions.
While these chemicals have been linked to health issues, I think that the real reason for the lawsuit is the deep pockets of the chemical industry and the big bucks that a settlement will drop into the state coffers. This is nothing more than legal blackmail.
If you really want to look out for California’s well being, then outlaw these chemicals. Otherwise, your lawsuit reeks of a money grab.
What’s next, sueing the 49ers for polluting the rivers and streams with mercury that they used to pan for gold. Idiocy at it’s best.
governor wanna be .
Meanwhile, ignore real crime, putz.
Rob, now do the electric car manufacturer’s for their “forever” toxic car battery!
Don’t forget the solar panels also
This is about an out of control coal mine fire burning in Centralia Pennsylvania for the last fifty years and is predicted to burn for another 250 years. The reason it says, “these fires” is there are other fires similar to this one. What are they doing about it? Well they abandoned the town. Moved and tore down all of the houses and blocked the roads so you cannot drive there. As far as putting the fire out. No. Buy an electric car that will solve the problem. Oh Well !!
1.1 billion metric tons
The Institute estimates that carbon dioxide emissions from these fires are as high as 1.1 billion metric tons, more than the total carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles in the United States.
@RICARDOH…..Also not to forget the 150 active volcanoes worldwide daily.
The newest thing is about all the methane gas being “expelled” each day, Slo Jo’s answer to that is free Beano for everyone, he’s right on top of it.
Bonta is not any different than his current boss or the head goofball in DC! The Demos cannot accept competition losses and retaliate by pulling idiotic stunts like this. Bonta like his wife, Mia, are both looking towards the future of “democratic democracy”. What a joke, just like Emhoff and Kamama!