What are PFAS?
PFAS, or Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, are man-made toxic chemicals that have been in use for decades. From non-stick cookware to industrial processes, PFAS have permeated our daily lives, creating a $1 billion annual revenue stream for companies like DuPont and 3M.
How Have Forever Chemicals Been Used?
PFAS are integral to the manufacturing of flame retardants, extinguishing foams, pesticides, hydraulic fluids, medical devices, color copiers, printers, metal plating, non-stick cookware, and food packaging. Given their extensive use over the decades, PFAS are virtually omnipresent in the environment.
In 2017, an Environmental Working Group report revealed PFAS contamination in water supplies across 27 states, impacting around 15 million Americans. These chemicals, listed as “persistent organic pollutants” under the Stockholm Convention, resist natural degradation and have a half-life of 10,000 years, lingering indefinitely once released into the environment.
How PFAS Enters the Water Supply
PFAS enters water through industrial waste discharge into rivers, streams, and onto the ground. Rainfall then carries these substances into underground aquifers, from which they eventually accumulate in the food chain. Fire suppressant foams, military bases, and industrial sites contribute to PFAS contamination in water sources.
The Environmental Working Group has found PFAS contamination in over 4500 locations across all U.S. states.
Health Consequences of Forever Chemicals
The health impacts of PFAS exposure can be severe, even at low levels. Classified as a human carcinogen, PFAS exposure is associated with various diseases, including:
- Testicular Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Thyroid Cancer
- Blood Cancers
PFAS exposure may also be linked to other serious conditions, including birth defects, developmental delays, and ulcerative colitis. Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel is currently representing individuals who have developed serious health conditions as a result of PFAS exposure.
Get Justice for PFAS Exposure with Our Forever Chemical Attorneys
For three decades, the lawyers at Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel have represented people who have been sickened by toxic chemicals. If you (or a loved one) have been exposed to PFAS and diagnosed with a related disease, contact us or call 866.295.6896 to speak with an experienced lawyer today.
