3M, DuPont Hit with PFAS Lawsuit Regarding Contaminated Water

DuPont, 3M, Chemours, and Corteva were hit with another lawsuit over so-called forever chemicals in groundwater.

DuPont de Nemours Inc., 3M Co., the Chemours Co., and Corteva Inc. knew or should have known that the “harmful compounds” they manufactured would reach groundwater, pollute drinking water supplies and threaten public health, the water districts allege in their claim. The plaintiffs say the companies failed to protect the region’s water supplies, and now the districts – and millions of Orange County residents – are dealing with “widespread contamination”.

For decades the chemical companies manufactured products containing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctancesulfonic acid (PFOS), both of which are known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment, according to the water districts. The man-made substances are part of a group of more than 5,000 substances known as PFAS and have been shown to lead to reproductive and developmental, liver and kidney, and immunological problems, and possibly cancer.

The water districts are alleging public and private nuisance, negligence, design defects and failure to warn, among other allegations. They are seeking specific damages as well as injunctive relief, attorney fees and court costs.

Daniel Turner, a DuPont spokesperson, said in a statement that the company is disappointed by the water districts’ claims.

“DuPont de Nemours has never made or sold PFOA, PFOS or other perfluorinated compounds in California, or elsewhere,” he said. “These complaints are the latest example of DuPont being improperly named in litigation, and we look forward to vigorously defending our position.”

3M has stated that it “acted responsibly in connection PFAS and will vigorously defend itself against the allegations in this lawsuit.”

Counsel for the water districts declined to comment.