The City of Dayton announced it was filing lawsuit against companies leaking chemicals into the city’s water supply. The legal move comes as thousands of Americans across the country have learned of PFAS water contamination concerns, and associated cancer and kidney disease.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, is the toxin commonly found in non-stick Teflon pans and firefighting foam used at military bases across the country. The foam included perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Both chemicals linked to groundwater contamination and personal injuries.
They have been used for firefighting and fire training by civilian and military airports, fire departments and industrial facilities. The chemicals could be contaminating the drinking water of millions of people in the United States. These chemicals are extremely persistent, and can remain and contaminate for many years to come.
The Dayton lawsuit was filed against 3M Company, Buckeye Fire Equipment Company, Chemguard, Inc., Tyco Fire Products L.P., and National Foam, Inc.
Joe Lyon is a highly-rated Cincinnati toxic tort attorney reviewing water contamination class actions and PFAS contamination for plaintiffs nationwide.
PFAS Contamination
PFAS chemicals are toxic and non-biodegrade, and pose serious risks to human health. If water is contaminated in any region, the population faces severe health consequences.
In February, Dayton found elevated levels of PFAS in the water supply near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The Ohio EPA has been monitoring safe levels in the water.
Wright-Patterson is also an area were Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF) firefighting foam was used, which included perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), two chemicals linked to water contamination and cancer.
Monsanto Contamination Lawsuit
The Ohio Attorney General filed a lawsuit against Monsanto in 2018 for producing and selling toxic chemical compounds including PCBs. PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemical compounds used in Monsanto products and paints, inks, caulks, sealants, lubricants, electrical equipment, and copy paper. Many businesses use these chemicals in Ohio.
Rather than breaking down naturally, PCBs tend to build up and contaminate water, soil, plants, and air and the food chain. Several rivers, creeks, lakes, and ponds in Ohio are contaminated with PCBs. PCBs are associated with cancer, skin problems, eye disorders, reduced birth weight, and liver damage.
According to the Monsanto lawsuit, PCBs have been known to be toxic for decades, yet the company allegedly continued to use them, hid the dangers, denied the toxicity, and failed to give reasonable warnings about the hazards they posed.
C8 Dupont Water Contamination
Chemours and DuPont settled a class action lawsuit that alleged a DuPont Teflon plant released toxic perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or C8 into the air and water sources. C8 has been linked to kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, low birth weight and high cholesterol. The company settled for over $670 million.
