PFAS Contamination Lawsuits - How to Protect Your Family

Is Your Family Safe? – Everything You Need to Know About PFAS Contamination, PFAS Lawsuits and Keeping Your Family Safe from this Silent Killer

Millions of families are drinking water contaminated with PFAS. They can’t see it, taste it or even easily test for it. The EPA says PFAS levels of just 70 parts per trillion are dangerous. (Health experts peg the safe exposure level much lower.)

PFAS is a deadly killer. Because you can’t see it or taste it, many folks don’t even know the water they are drinking could kill them or cause other horrible health outcomes. PFAS compounds of been linked to kidney failure and cancer, testicular cancer, birth defects, heart disease and many other health problems.

What are these chemicals? Where do they come from? How many people are affected? What can be done? Keep reading – in the paragraphs below we answer these questions and give you links for more information. Our PFAS contamination lawyers are also available to help if you have been exposed or your home’s water contaminated.

If you or a loved one was exposed to PFAS contamination and were subsequently diagnosed with a serious disease or injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other losses. Homeowners and farmers with contaminated soil or wells may also be entitled to compensation. Even if you have yet to suffer health complications, you may be eligible for lifetime medical monitoring if you have suffered exposure. To learn more, contact a PFAS contamination lawyer at Mahany Law online or by email . There is never a charge for a consultation and all inquiries are kept confidential.

What Is PFAS?

PFAS (pronounced Pee fas) is short for Per-fluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances. These are manmade chemicals that have been manufactured since the 1960’s.

PFAS compounds are widely associated with firefighting foam but they are also commonly found in nonstick pots and pans, stain resistant fabrics and cleaning products.

PFAS is a family of chemicals. Some are more toxic than others. The most common variants are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and per-fluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). Although now banned, these two chemicals are known as “forever” chemicals because they don’t easily breakdown in the environment nor are these easily passed by the human body.

PFOA and PFOS are often found in the environment and drinking water. We have encountered wells with PFAS levels exceeding 20,000 units. Remember, the EPA guideline is just 70 units.

Although the PFOA and PFOS are no longer in production, industry continues to make new PFAS variants. We worry because there have been few if any long term studies on the risks of these compounds. Are we simply replacing one poison with another (and remember , the existing poisons don’t break down or disappear)?

How Many People Have Been Exposed to PFAS?

Unfortunately, almost every American has been exposed to PFAS. The Environmental Working group concluded in October 2020, that more than 200,000,000 Americans have at least 1 part per trillion of PFAS in their drinking water. Unlike some compounds that appear naturally in our environment, PFAS compounds are entirely man made.

What Is the Safe Exposure Level to PFAS?

The EPA has yet to establish a limit. Instead their most recent guidance is 70 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS, the most common forms of PFAS. Many believe that the agency will soon dramatically cut the safe exposure level. The scientists and health experts at the Environmental Working Group claim a safe level is less than 1 part per trillion.

Even the EPA admits that their understanding of the dangers of these forever chemicals is evolving.

What Are the Health Effects of PFOA and PFOS?

According to the EPA, studies of the effects of PFOA and PFOS on laboratory animals and some studies of human populations that have been exposed to PFOA and PFOS show that exposure “may result in adverse health effects” including:

developmental effects to fetuses during pregnancy or to breastfed infants (e.g., low birth weight, accelerated puberty, skeletal variations),
cancer (e.g., testicular, kidney),
liver damage
immune effects (e.g., antibody production and immunity),
thyroid damage, and
other health effects (e.g., cholesterol changes).

The above list is from the EPA. Outside studies suggest even more ill health effects including:

suppressed immune system
decreased vaccine response
ulcerative colitis
other forms of cancer

It is important to note that almost all the studies to date are limited to ingestion through contaminated water. There is only limited information regarding health problems from breathing or dermal exposures (skin contact).

We also note that as science and medical studies evolves, PFAS exposure is becoming more of a concern. The first “advisory” from the EPA was issued in 2009 after the agency found PFOA and PFOS in sludge from an Alabama wastewater plant. When the agency looked at nearby community water systems, they found both compounds present. Based on their knowledge at the time, however, they concluded that human studies looking at the health effects of exposure to both chemicals were “inconclusive.”

Finally, most studies center around the two common PFAS compounds, PFOA and PFOS. Already there are 4730 PFAS compounds with more being developed. Almost nothing is known about many of these new variants. In fact, for some of these compounds there are not even testing methods or standards.

Beginning in 2006, some states have been developing their own PFAS standards, although the levels vary greatly by state. Vermont has imposed strict to not drink limits at 20 parts per trillion for five PFAS compounds including PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS (perfluorohexane sulfonic acid), PFHpA (perfluoroheptanoic acid) and PFNA (perfluorononanoic acid). The limits are cumulative meaning if a well show levels of 5 parts for each of the five compounds, the state would issue a Do Not Drink notice since the aggregate of all five would be 25 parts per trillion.

Some residents in Maine are now demanding a zero limit, something that is probably not attainable near term.

How Does PFAS Exposure Occur?

Most studies to date have concentrated on the drinking PFAS contaminated water. There are many other ways that exposure can occur. Common methods include:

Drinking contaminated municipal water or well water
Drinking or eating contaminated dairy products (in many states wastewater treatment plants spread sludge from the plants on farmer’s fields
Eating fish caught in contaminated ponds and streams
Ingestion of contaminated dust or soil (common near landfills or farms that have sprayed with contaminated sludge)
Eating food contained in PFAS containing packages
Using certain consumer products such as non-stick pans, water proofing spray and water resistant cloths. (Not every such product contains these chemicals.)

How Did PFAS Get in My Water?

There are many ways PFAS chemicals can contaminate drinking water. Sometimes is comes from being in proximity to factories that use these chemicals. Other times it comes from military bases that used firefighting foam.

Presently we are learning that many wastewater treatment plants provided sludge from the treatment process as free or low cost fertilizer to area farmers. If a particular state or county doesn’t allow sludge to be applied to fields it is often placed in a landfill where it can also leach into the soil and contaminate the aquafer.

Is It Possible to Remove PFAS from Drinking Water?

Yes! Good news. Traditional water filtration and treatment technologies such as activated charcoal (carbon) and membrane separation can remove 99% percent of contaminants. These methods might not be enough in severe cases. Then the only solution may be to truck or pipe in outside water. Boiling does not work, however.

Unfortunately, we are learning that the above traditional techniques do not always work well with the emerging new forms of PFAS.

What Should I Do? How Do I Find Out if There Is PFAS in my Water?

Everyone one should be concerned about PFAS contamination. We were shocked to learn that 12 water systems in Maine didn’t want their water tested for PFAS by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Why not? The only reason we can think of is that they don’t want to know what might be found. Treatment protocols for large water systems are expensive. Burying your head in the sand, however, doesn’t protect the public.

If you have well water and are near a paper mill, landfill, military base, airport or industrial plant, get your well tested. Testing varies by state and no one tests for all the 4000+ PFAS variants. Most states test at least the five most common (and dangerous compounds).

If you have detectible of amounts of PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFHpA or PFNA speak to your doctor and consider getting your blood serum levels checked. This is especially true if you are an expectant mother or a woman planning on having children.

Even if the contamination levels of your well water are low, remember that PFAS can concentrate in your body over time and its rate of decay in the body (called half-life) is slow. That means over time PFAS can reach dangerous levels in your body.

We are often asked, “Who will pay for PFAS testing?” For wells, some states will perform the tests at no charge, especially if you are near a known contamination site or near a papermill, industrial area, landfill or military base.

Private testing companies exist but will charge a fee.

If you find PFAS in your water, see if your state or county offers help with remediation. Many do. You should also call us. More on that below.

If you are on a municipal or community water system, ask the system operator if they test for PFAS and the more common variants. If they do, ask for results. Shockingly, we have found a dozen water systems that deliberately chose not to test simply so they wouldn’t incur expensive remediation costs.

Many states are now mandating periodic testing by all public water systems.

Where Is PFAS Found?

Unfortunately, PFAS contamination has been found all over the United States. We mentioned earlier the common culprits (military bases, factories, landfills and papermills) but in many states few places have been tested and if the state allows waste treatment sludge to be spread on farms, contamination could be anywhere.

Here is an interactive map detailing the many places having significant PFAS contamination.

I Have a PFAS Problem, Now What?

(Should I Seek a PFAS Lawyer?)

For people with no health effects, we are bringing class actions seeking monetary damages and long term medical monitoring. In some cases we will bring actions on behalf of a water company or government body for cleanup, water treatment and monitoring.

There is no reason why anybody should live with bad water. This is especially true when homeowners and residents had no hand in creating the pollution.

PFAS Contamination & PFAS Injury Lawsuits

Already we have identified people who have PFAS in their drinking water and who have required kidney transplants or contracted deadly cancers. We treat these cases individually and never as part of a class action.

Presently we are accepting thyroid, kidney and testicular cancer cases. If you or a loved one suffer from one of these cancers and have detectible PFAS levels in your water or blood, call us. Our contact information appears below.

We are also considering birth defect cases and other developmental problems with babies. We can’t promise we will take your case but we will certainly investigate. Although we believe PFAS is responsible for a wide variety of health problems, very few courts have taken up the issue. The science surrounding the dangers of PFAS contamination grows daily.

If you or a loved one was exposed to PFAS contamination and were subsequently diagnosed with a serious disease or injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other losses. Homeowners and farmers with contaminated soil or wells may also be entitled to compensation. Even if you have yet to suffer health complications, you may be eligible for lifetime medical monitoring if you have suffered exposure. To learn more, contact a PFAS contamination lawyer at Mahany Law online or by email . There is never a charge for a consultation and all inquiries are kept confidential.

I Am a Farmer, Will You Take My PFAS Contamination Case?

Farmers are victims like everyone else. We know of dairy farms that have been in the same family for generations. Suddenly when the state finds PFAS in their soil or in milk from cows on the farm, their operation is shut down leaving the farmers with no income.

The farms most at risk are those that accepted sludge from wastewater treatment plants.

Although these farmers are clearly victims, they are often responsible for contamination of surrounding residential wells. We won’t sue a farmer but we also can’t include them in our class actions either. If you are a farmer, we will consider whether we can provide individual representation. Of course if you suffered a PFAS related health complication, we will always consider your case.

PFAS Exposure on the Job

Most of the cases we see are from PFAS contaminated drinking water. Sometimes, however, workers are exposed to these chemicals while on the job. Firefighters who used Class B firefighting foam (called AFFF or Aqueous Film Forming Foam), factory workers, papermill operators and landfill workers may have received exposure on the job. If you have testicular, kidney or thyroid cancer and were exposed to PFAS, contact us for a no obligation consultation.

How Do I Pick the Right PFAS Lawyer?

PFAS litigation is in early stages. There haven’t been that many cases although we expect the number of cases to skyrocket as states ramp up testing.

The out-of-pocket cost to bring a PFAS lawsuit could be many hundreds of thousands of dollars. That is why you don’t see many lawyers advertising for these cases on late night TV. In fact, we have been approached by other lawyers who signed up cases only to later realize the costs involved.

The danger for homeowners and cancer victims is that lawyers who can’t afford these cases may seek to settle them for pennies on the dollar. We spoke to one cancer victim who said his lawyer told him his case was too expensive and to “drop it.” By the time the former client found us, it was too late, the statute of limitations (time period to sue) had expired.

Usually lawyers are quite competitive. Personal injury lawyers always seem to be in a race to put up billboards and run TV ads. While personal injury lawyers may engage in these questionable practices, we concentrate in highly complex injury and environmental contamination cases. We also work collaboratively with our competition so that our clients benefit. In fact, we have partnered on PFAS cases with other leading lawyers to ensure our clients get the best chance of recovery.

If you or a loved one was exposed to PFAS contamination and were subsequently diagnosed with a serious disease or injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other losses. Homeowners and farmers with contaminated soil or wells may also be entitled to compensation. Even if you have yet to suffer health complications, you may be eligible for lifetime medical monitoring if you have suffered exposure. To learn more, contact a PFAS contamination lawyer at Mahany Law online, by phone 800.669.7782 or by email . There is never a charge for a consultation and all inquiries are kept confidential

PFAS Whistleblowers?

We are one of the leading whistleblower law firms in the nation. We understand the value of whistleblowers are work tirelessly to protect them from retaliation. Already we have heard from safety officers and truck drivers who have confidentially tell us where chemicals were dumped or sludge spread.

If you have information about PFAS contamination, see our contact information above. There are probably no rewards available for your information but you will certainly be helping us ensure everyone has clean drinking water.