Photo: Dmitry Naumov via Shutterstock
May 29, 2019 (CONCORD, NH) – Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) issued the following statement today after New Hampshire officials announced a lawsuit against several companies for PFAS contamination in the state.
“Families should not have to worry if their water contains toxic chemicals when they turn on the tap,” said Tom Irwin, Vice President and Director of CLF New Hampshire. “Polluters have threatened our health and our environment with these harmful substances, and they must be held accountable. The Attorney General’s lawsuit is a huge first step in protecting our drinking water and natural resources from dangerous PFAS contamination.”
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are suspected carcinogens and have been linked to a variety of severe health problems including learning disorders in infants and children, fertility and pregnancy issues and impaired liver, thyroid and pancreatic function. It’s estimated that almost every American has at least one of these substances in their blood.
Called ‘forever chemicals’ because they never fully break down, PFAS have been widely used in nonstick cookware, food wrappers, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, some cosmetics, some firefighting foams, and products that resist grease, water, and oil.
The lawsuits are against eight manufacturers of PFAS: 3M, DuPont, Chemours, Chemguard, Tyco Fire Products, Buckeye Fire Equipment, Kidde-Fenwal, and National Foam, Inc.
CLF has been pushing for stronger regulations across New England to protect the public from the dangers of PFAS. You can read more about that work here.
CLF experts are available for further comment.
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