The Crisis of Forever Chemicals
Santa Clara County has accused chemical behemoth DuPont and 3M of causing a crisis in local drinking water. The charges involve chemicals from a family known as PFAS, nicknamed “forever chemicals” due to their persistent nature in the environment. The companies allegedly covered up the harmful effects of these compounds despite evidence of their toxicity.
Allegations Against DuPont and 3M
The county’s lawsuit, filed last week, claimed that these toxins have contaminated both drinking water and groundwater. It further alleged that the pollutants are affecting residents’ health, along with fish and wildlife in the San Francisco Bay. Evasive responses from both DuPont and 3M to the charges indicate the alleged magnitude of the issue, mirroring similar allegations made by the State of California in 2022.
Health Impacts of PFAS
Research has linked these compounds to harmful effects on human health, with a dramatic association between the chemicals and developmental delays in children, low birth weights, heightened cancer risks, and increased cholesterol levels. These compounds also appeared to interfere with the immune system’s infection-fighting response.
PFAS in the Environment
Findings of PFAS, short for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in drinking water wells across several cities indicate widespread contamination of groundwater within the region. Firefighting foams, widely manufactured by firms such as DuPont and 3M, are believed to be significant sources of the chemicals.
The lawsuit further pinned down the usage of PFAS-containing foam in firefighter training and possibly at county airports. This activity may have transferred PFAS into municipal drinking water supplies and groundwater, and caused runoff into the Bay. The detected presence of PFAS compounds in local fish, harbor seals, and bird eggs further underscores the severity of the situation.
The Stealthy Influx of PFAS
Despite these disturbing findings, products resistant to water, stains, and heat, such as food packaging, non-stick pans, clothing, and a plethora of other goods, still widely utilize PFAS. This fact is alarming considering that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has stated that almost everyone in the U.S. has detectable levels of PFAS in their blood.
Cover-Up Allegations and Legal Consequences
The lawsuit accuses more than 20 companies of manufacturing and selling PFAS-containing firefighting foams, claiming they intentionally suppressed information regarding potential PFAS toxicity. The lawsuit notably focuses on DuPont and 3M, pushing forth allegations of prior knowledge of the harm caused by the chemicals.
The Seriousness of PFAS Toxicity
The lawsuit includes chilling assertions indicating the toxicity of PFAS. In one example, it claimed that in 1978, 3M fed monkeys different dosages of two PFAS compounds, with all subjects subsequently succumbing to damaging health effects or death. Despite this apparent knowledge of its products’ potential harm, the company allegedly continued to manufacture and sell PFAS-based firefighting foam until at least 2000.
DuPont has also been embroiled in the lawsuit, with its alleged longstanding knowledge of PFAS toxicity dating back to the 1960s. Historical incidents, such as the discovery that PFOA could cause liver damage in animals and potentially transfer from pregnant mothers to their unborn children, have been highlighted as particularly concerning.
Call for Regulation and Alternatives
In response to the mounting evidence and public concern, new regulation protecting consumers from PFAS exposure has been enacted. California law now requires manufacturers to disclose the presence of PFAS in cookware and prohibits the sale of clothing and cosmetics containing PFAS. Despite these steps, more action is needed, as production of other PFAS compounds continues even as PFOS and PFOA are phased out.
Key Takeaways:
– Santa Clara County has accused DuPont and 3M of causing a crisis by allowing harmful ‘forever chemicals’, known as PFAS, to contaminate the drinking water and groundwater.
– Research points to a correlation between these compounds and significant health issues, including developmental delays and increased cancer risks.
– Despite the alleged cover-up by the companies, the lawsuit has been filed against more than 20 companies involved in manufacturing and selling PFAS-containing products.
– Both DuPont and 3M allegedly knew about the toxic effects of PFAS but continued to produce and sell products containing these compounds.
-The presence of these chemicals in nearly every American’s blood underline the urgent need for stricter regulations and alternatives to PFAS.