New York sues three companies over ‘forever chemicals’

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The state of New York this week sued several companies over “forever chemicals,” a family of toxic chemicals that have commonly been used in consumer products.

New York Attorney General Letitia James on Thursday sued five firms, alleging that they knew and hid information indicating these chemicals were toxic and persistent in the environment.

James also alleged the companies knew their products were harmful to the environment.

New York’s lawsuit is against DuPont, 3M and DuPont spinoffs Chemours, Corteva and EIDP.

“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,” James said in a written statement.

“Forever chemicals” are the nickname of a group of chemicals, also known as PFAS, that have nonstick, waterproof and other properties that have made them useful in consumer goods. They are known as “forever chemicals” because they can persist for hundreds or even thousands of years in the environment instead of breaking down.

Exposure to PFAS has been linked to cancer, fertility issues and immune system problems.

Other states have also sued some of the makers of PFAS over these chemicals, which have become a major environmental and public health issue.

The U.S. government, meanwhile, recently announced a settlement with Chemours over pollution claims.

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