ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against several major chemical and agricultural companies, including 3M, DuPont de Nemours, The Chemours Company, and Corteva. The lawsuit, initiated on Thursday, alleges that these companies knowingly sold harmful substances commonly referred to as "forever chemicals." These chemicals are utilized in various products, including cosmetics and non-stick cookware.
The legal action represents a growing trend in holding corporations accountable for their role in the proliferation of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which have been associated with serious health risks, including an elevated likelihood of certain cancers and developmental delays in children. Attorney General James emphasized the gravity of the situation, asserting, "Big companies like 3M and DuPont knowingly sold toxic products that threatened New Yorkers’ health and polluted our environment for decades. It’s time for them to pay for the damage they caused."
The lawsuit has been filed in a state court located in Albany, New York. It aims to compel the implicated companies to contribute financially to environmental cleanup initiatives and to issue warnings to consumers regarding their hazardous products. The allegations state that, in several instances, these companies were fully aware of the toxic nature of the chemicals they marketed.
As of the time of the lawsuit, representatives from DuPont, 3M, Corteva, and Chemours had not provided a response to requests for comments. This lawsuit follows a precedent set last year when DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva reached an agreement to pay up to $2 billion to settle environmental claims related to PFAS in New Jersey.
PFAS, often labeled as "forever chemicals," are a series of synthetic chemicals that have been extensively used for several decades. Their remarkable properties, which include resistance to heat and chemical reactions, have made them valuable in various industrial and consumer applications—ranging from firefighting foams to water-repellent clothing. However, the resilience of these substances in the environment means that they do not break down easily, leading to accumulation and increasingly harmful effects.
These developments highlight urgent concerns regarding public health and environmental safety associated with PFAS. The legal actions taken by New York’s attorney general reflect a broader movement towards accountability for corporations that prioritize profit over safety and environmental stewardship. The case underscores the significant risks posed to both individuals and ecosystems due to historical and ongoing use of these toxic chemicals.
