PFAS chemicals News

Plastic Pollution Could Trigger $20 Billion in Lawsuit Payouts

Litigation could cost the plastics industry and its insurers $20 billion in the US over the next eight years, according to a report backed by the United Nations and an Australian billionaire. Companies including petrochemical and consumer goods firms may …

Viewpoint: Significant Ruling in PFAS Litigation Could Impact Insurance Coverage

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, have served as a key component in numerous industrial and consumer products for decades. These “forever chemicals,” which have been associated with environmental contamination and adverse health outcomes, have garnered steadily-growing attention …

Biden Administration to Declare ‘Forever Chemicals’ Hazardous Substances

The Biden administration said on Friday it will propose designating certain “forever chemicals” as hazardous substances under the nation’s Superfund program, in a bid to spark cleanup of countless sites that have been found contaminated by the toxic industrial compounds. …

‘Forever Chemicals’ Pose Risk Even at Very Low Levels: EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency is warning that two nonstick and stain-resistant compounds found in drinking water are more dangerous than previously thought – and pose health risks even at levels so low they cannot currently be detected. The two compounds, …

Pressure Growing to Remove PFAS from Fast Food Wrappers

Brenda Hampton first came across the toxic industrial compound PFAS after finding it was part of the cocktail of contaminants that tainted the drinking water in her North Alabama community. Hampton, who believes the contaminated water contributed to kidney problems …

Massachusetts Joins States Suing Makers, Marketers of ‘Forever Chemicals’

Massachusetts has sued more than a dozen companies involved in the manufacture or marketing of so-called forever chemicals, alleging they knowingly polluted the environment and endangered public health, state Attorney General Maura Healey said Wednesday. The companies have known about …

Maine Attorney General Plans to Sue PFAS Manufacturers

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey said the state is preparing for a lawsuit against manufacturers of so-called forever chemicals. Frey said at the Democratic State Convention last weekend that steps are being taken to “hold these chemical manufacturers to account.” …

EPA Launches Strategy to Regulate Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’

The Biden administration said it is launching a broad strategy to regulate toxic industrial compounds associated with serious health conditions that are used in products ranging from cookware to carpets and firefighting foams. Michael Regan, the head of the Environmental …

3M Offers $98M to Settle Tennessee River ‘Forever’ Chemicals Claims

Industrial conglomerate 3M Co on Tuesday said it had agreed to pay about $98.4 million to settle claims that it contaminated the Tennessee River with toxic chemicals. 3M agreed to resolve a lawsuit by environmental group Tennessee Riverkeeper and a …

Company Defends Use of Toxic Chemicals to Fight Illinois Plant Fire

A company whose northern Illinois chemical plant was heavily damaged in a fire defended its use of firefighting foam containing toxic chemicals, saying crews had taken steps to contain the material. An industrial team hired by Lubrizol Inc., parent company …