New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against several of the nation’s largest chemical manufacturers, alleging they knowingly polluted the state with toxic “forever chemicals” while misleading consumers about the risks.
The lawsuit targets 3M Company, EIDP Inc., The Chemours Company, Corteva Inc., and DuPont de Nemours Inc. Attorney General James alleges the companies manufactured, marketed and sold products containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, despite knowing the chemicals posed serious health and environmental dangers.
PFAS are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not readily break down in the environment. Studies have linked exposure to certain PFAS compounds to an increased risk of cancer, birth defects, pregnancy complications, hormone disruption, high cholesterol and other health problems.
According to the lawsuit, the companies used PFAS in a wide range of consumer products, including stain-resistant fabrics, waterproof clothing, food packaging, nonstick cookware and cosmetics. James alleges the manufacturers knew for decades that the chemicals were toxic, accumulated in people and wildlife, and contaminated water supplies, but failed to warn the public.
The complaint cites internal company research dating back to the 1970s and 1980s that allegedly identified health and environmental risks associated with PFAS. The lawsuit claims the companies continued manufacturing and marketing the chemicals while downplaying or concealing those risks from consumers and regulators.
Attorney General James is seeking a court order requiring the companies to pay for PFAS cleanup efforts across New York, compensate the state for environmental and public health damages, and provide adequate warnings on products containing harmful PFAS. The lawsuit also seeks restitution, financial penalties, and the recovery of profits the state alleges were earned through deceptive business practices.
“Big companies like 3M and DuPont knowingly sold toxic products that threatened New Yorkers’ health and polluted our environment for decades,” James said in a statement. “It’s time for them to pay for the damage they caused.”
The lawsuit also seeks to prohibit the companies from selling products containing harmful PFAS without appropriate warnings and to stop what the attorney general alleges was misleading advertising about the safety of the chemicals.
The companies named in the lawsuit had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of the attorney general’s announcement.
