PFAS Contamination

Millions of families across the United States have discovered that the water in their faucets had been contaminated by chemicals that are linked to:

• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Birth defects
• Numerous other health complications

These toxic, man-made chemicals are known as PFAS, and they were originally created for industry and consumer products.

PFAS have been found in drinking water in communities nationwide, with an estimated 110 million Americans affected by PFAS contamination.

Read on to learn more about PFAS and to see if you or a loved one are eligible for a PFAS contamination lawsuit or contact a PFAS contamination lawyer today.

At this time, TorHoerman Law is exploring the possibility of filing a PFAS contamination lawsuit.

If you have any questions, please contact a toxic tort lawyer at TorHoerman Law.

Per-fluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are man-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products worldwide for over 60 years.

The toxic chemicals are known for their ability to resist grease, water, and oils.

PFAS were commonly used for:

• Non-stick cookware
• Stain-resistant fabrics
• Firefighting foams
• Cleaning products
• Paints
• Numerous other products

The two (2) most common PFAS are:

1. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
2. Per-fluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS).

PFOA and PFOS are fully fluorinated, organic compounds that have been proven to be resistant to typical environmental degradation.

Both chemicals have been found in the environment and in drinking water.

While U.S. regulations have ended PFOA and PFOS production, the chemicals do not break down and have remained in the environment in the water, soil, and air.

PFAS have been found in the blood of people and animals worldwide and in some food products.

New PFAS are currently being developed.

Very little scientific research on new PFAS exists, so it is uncertain if they have the same health concerns.

The new chemicals could be less toxic and persistent in the environment.

Human exposure to PFAS has been labeled a public health concern by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

Growing bodies of science have documented PFOS toxicity and public health impacts.

Some evidence indicates that even low-level PFA exposure could be unsafe for humans.

Studies in humans exposed to PFAS have shown the chemicals could have significant effects on the body’s development, while increasing the risks of cancer and other diseases.

Studies of humans exposed to PFAS have shown that PFAS can:

• Increase cancer risks
• Adversely affect immune functioning
• Disrupt the body’s natural hormonal levels
• Increase cholesterol
• Affect infants and children’s growth, learning abilities, and behavior

Increased PFAS exposure has also been linked to thyroid disease, weight gain, decreased vaccine response, and neurobehavioral effects.

PFAS exposure has also been correlated with:

• Decreased fertility
• Lower birth weights
• Pregnancy-induced hypertension

There also has been increased concern about PFAS and endocrine disruption.

You can be exposed to PFAS through:

• Drinking municipal water or private well water that has been contaminated
• Eating fish caught in PFAS-contaminated water
• Swallowing contaminated soil or dust
• Eating food packaged in PFAS-containing material
• Using products that contain PFAS such as:
  • Non-stick cookware
  • Water-resistant clothing
  • Certain cleaning products
  • Some cosmetic and personal care products
  • Stain-resistant carpets

PFAS can concentrate over time in the human body through the process of bioaccumulation.

PFOA, one of the most popular PFAS, can persist long after exposure because of its long half-life and bioaccumulative properties.

The PFOA half-life in humans is anywhere from two to four years, and other PFAS have shown half-lives up to eight years.

Ongoing exposure to low levels of PFAS in drinking water can lead to concentrations high enough to potentially increased health risks.

PFAS have contaminated the tap water of at least 16 million people in 33 states and Puerto Rico and groundwater in 38 states.

PFAS contaminated water has been tied primarily to past military bases and industrial discharge.

The U.S. military previously used firefighting foams containing PFAS at hundreds of bases around the county.

A Department of Defense Report listed 126 military facilities with water supplies contaminated above the EPA’s current PFA level standard.

PFAS contaminated water has also been found near major manufacturing plants with many states filing PFAS contamination lawsuits.

Dupont, 3M, and many other companies have faced allegations of contaminating ground and surface water with PFAS.

PFAS are resistant to many water treatment processes, and some technologies might even increase their concentrations.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Drinking Water Treatability Database, PFAS can be removed up to 99 percent with processes such as:

• Granular activated carbon
• Membrane separation
• Ion exchange
• Powdered activated carbon

These technologies have become less effective in filtering out new forms of PFAS.

You can decrease your exposure to PFAS by:

• Checking with your local health department to see if your drinking water has been designated to be PFAS-contaminated by the EPA or your state government.
  • If it has been, use a different water source for drinking, cooking, brushing your teeth, and any other activity where you could swallow water.
• Avoiding eating PFAS-contaminated fish.
  • Follow the fish advisories put out by your state and local health and environmental quality departments.
• Avoiding workplaces where you could be exposed to PFAS.

The Environmental Watch Group’s 2019 PFAS Contamination Map reveals the extent of PFAS contamination in the United States.

The interactive map documents publicly-known PFAS pollution sites including:

• Public water systems
• Military bases
• Airports
• Industrial plants
• Firefighter training sites

According to the data, 1,398 locations across 49 states are known to be contaminated.

Workplace PFAS Contamination

Workers exposed to products containing PFAS are at a higher risk of serious injury, including cancer.

Work products containing PFAS include:

• Class B Firefighting Foam (AFFF)

If you or a loved one are suffering damages after being exposed to PFAS, you might be entitled to a PFAS Contamination Lawsuit.

At TorHoerman Law, we offer free, zero-obligation consultations for all potential PFAS contamination lawsuit clients.

Our team of experienced personal injury lawyers will work with you to take proper legal action for damages and compensation.

Contact us today to discuss your possible toxic tort lawsuit.

At this time, TorHoerman Law is exploring the possibility of filing a PFAS contamination lawsuit on behalf of individuals exposed to PFAS who subsequently developed an injury.

If you believe that you may qualify for a PFAS contamination lawsuit, you should contact a PFAS contamination lawyer right away.

Hiring a personal injury attorney can greatly increase the chance of success in your PFAS contamination lawsuit.

Before you move forward with your PFAS contamination lawsuit, there are a few steps you can take to prepare yourself for legal action.

First, familiarize yourself with the steps in civil litigation, so that you know what to expect for your lawsuit.

1. Gathering Evidence

You can greatly help your PFAS contamination lawyer by collecting evidence to support your claim.

Any and all documentation of injuries or exposure to PFAS will be used to strengthen your argument.

2. Assess Damages

Your PFAS contamination lawyer will help you to assess the damages incurred as a result of your exposure - in a chemical exposure lawsuit, there are likely to be both compensatory damages and punitive damages, so familiarize yourself with both.

The total damages incurred will be amount to your total compensation, which will be paid by the liable party.

PFAS contamination lawsuits and liability are a complex matter, with many bad actors potentially responsible for water contamination.

After assessing your case, your PFAS contamination lawyer will be able to determine the liable party or parties.

TorHoerman Law Attorneys are educated on the complexity and seriousness of PFAS contamination, exposure, and resulting lawsuits.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries related to PFAS contamination, legal action should be your next step.

TorHoerman Law offers free, confidential, and no-obligation case consultations to all potential clients.

Our attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we do not charge for legal services if compensation is not won for our clients.

Don't hesitate, contact TorHoerman Law today.