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February 20th, 2024
Earlier this month the Environmental Protection Agency signed a proposal to deem nine per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), also known as “forever chemicals,” hazardous to human health under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. For the EPA to declare a substance hazardous it must be toxic or cause genetic mutation, cancer, or embryo malformations.
The EPA’s proposal is founded upon studies that showed forever chemicals can cause a host of “toxic effects” in humans and animals, including, but not limited to decrease in fertility and preeclampsia in women, a decreased vaccine response, thyroid disorders, high cholesterol, asthma, and cancer.
PFAs is a general term that covers over 12,000 of these man-made chemicals often used in nonstick cookware, adhesives, firefighting foam, fast-food packaging, turf and much more. These “forever chemicals” break exceedingly slowly and bio-accumulate in people, animals, and the environment.
Last summer, a study by the U.S. Geological Survey found the man-made chemicals are present in nearly half the country’s tap water supply. Last June, chemical manufacturer 3M agreed pay nearly $10 billion in lawsuit settlements to help detoxify water supplies across the country alleged to be contaminated with the company’s firefighting foam and other products.
The EPA’s rule proposal rule will be open for public comment once it is uploaded to the Federal Register, under docket number EPA-HQ-OLEM-2023-0278. If you suspect you or a loved one’s health or wellbeing has been seriously harmed by exposure to PFAs you should contact an experienced law firm right away to explore your rights.
