Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against chemical manufacturers 3M and DuPont, alleging the companies knowingly misrepresented the safety of products containing PFAS chemicals, often called “forever chemicals.”
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are persistent chemicals that build up in the environment and human body over time. These chemicals are linked to health risks such as cancer and thyroid disease and are found in everyday products like Teflon, Stainmaster, and Scotchgard.
The lawsuit accuses 3M and DuPont of knowing about the harmful effects of PFAS for decades but continuing to market their products as safe. “Defendants marketed products containing harmful PFAS chemicals for over 70 years…misrepresenting their environmental and biological risks, and concealing risks of harm from the public,” the lawsuit states.
“These companies knew for decades that PFAS chemicals could cause serious harm to human health yet continued to advertise them as safe for household use around families and children,” Paxton said. “Texas is taking action to hold these companies accountable for their deception.”
This case follows previous lawsuits filed by Texas against manufacturers of PFAS-containing firefighting foam, which caused damage to state lands and waters. The latest lawsuit marks a significant escalation in addressing the widespread impact of PFAS.
The lawsuit is being pursued with support from the Lanier Law Firm and Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, as Texas seeks to hold 3M and DuPont accountable for misleading Texans about the dangers of PFAS.
