Pollution remains a pressing issue in the United States, with harmful substances like PFAS contaminating water supplies. These chemicals, known for their strong water- and oil-repellent properties, are used in various products such as non-stick cookware and firefighting foam. Experts refer to them as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment and accumulation in the human body, potentially causing health problems.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently added nine new PFAS chemicals to its Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). This action requires companies producing these chemicals in large quantities to report their annual environmental releases. The additions were mandated by the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, aiming to provide communities with essential information about local chemical releases.
The newly listed PFAS include ammonium perfluorodecanoate, sodium perfluorodecanoate, perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid, and several 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate compounds. With these additions, there are now 205 PFAS listed in the TRI.
In related news, Mohawk Industries Inc., along with Mohawk Carpet LLC and Aladdin Manufacturing Corp., has filed a lawsuit against PFAS manufacturers including 3M Co., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., The Chemours Co., and Daikin America Inc. This legal action follows issues related to PFAS contamination from products like Stainmaster and Scotchgard in Dalton, Georgia. Water utilities in Alabama are also incurring high costs to remove PFAS from their water supplies. Mohawk alleges that these manufacturers failed to adequately warn about the dangers of PFAS and how to handle wastewater safely. They seek compensation for past and future costs associated with PFAS contamination.
Beasley Allen is part of a broader effort to hold PFAS manufacturers accountable for contaminating drinking water and affecting public health globally. The firm emphasizes its mission "to protect individuals, communities, and local governments from the dangers of toxic chemicals and environmental pollution." They conduct thorough investigations and collaborate with experts to build strong cases for their clients.