This class action is one of at least three, in different parts of the country, against 3M and other companies for contamination of water with toxic chemicals. In this case, the complaint alleges that aqueous firefighting foam (AFFF) and other materials leached into the ground and groundwater and from there moved into drinking water supplies.
The materials at issue contain perfluorochemicals (PFCs), including perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and related fluorochemicals that can degrade to PFOS or perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Probable links have been found between these chemicals and kidney and testicular cancer, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, hypercholesterolemia, and pregnancy-induced hypertension, including preeclampsia. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies the level of PFOS or PFOA above which health effects are likely to occur as 70 parts per trillion (ppt).
Unfortunately, PFCs are bio-accumulative, that is, they are not easily flushed out of the body; they accumulate in the body at greater rates than they can be removed. They are also highly mobile and persistent in the environment, that is, they do not easily degrade.
The complaint claims that 3M and other makers of the foam claimed their products were safe. However, under pressure from the EPA, the complaint says, 3M stopped making PFOS-based AFFF and phased out production of PFOS and PFOA but did not recall products or warn users.
The Pennsylvania communities of Horsham, Warrington, and Warminster are near, and “downgradient” to, the Willow Grove naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base and the former Naval Air Warfare Center. The complaint alleges that these bases used AFFFs and other materials containing the chemicals at issue.
Between 2013 and 2015, Horsham, Warrington, and Warminster, Pennsylvania tested their water supplies and found elevated levels of PFOS and/or PFOA. Levels of PFOS and PFOA ranged from 40 ppt to as high as 1600 ppt. All three communities ended up shutting down some of their wells. The EPA has also tested well water in the area of the bases and found 200 ppt for PFOS and 400 ppt for PFOA.
A number of residents of the communities have already experienced health challenges, including thyroid problems and thyroid cancer, and all have suffered a loss in value to their properties.
The complaint proposes three classes for this action.
- The Municipal Water Bodily Injury Class is all resident who have consumed water form a municipal water supply for Horsham, Warminster, or Warrington.
- The Private Well Bodily Injury Class is all residents who have consumed water from a private well within the affected areas.
- The Property Damage Class is all owners of real property whose drinking water came from private wells or the municipal supplies of Horsham, Warminster, or Warrington.
Topic: Environmental
Most Recent Case Event
3M Firefighting Chemicals and Water Contamination Complaint
December 9, 2018
This class action is one of at least three, in different parts of the country, against 3M and other companies for contamination of water with toxic chemicals. In this case, the complaint alleges that aqueous firefighting foam (AFFF) and other materials leached into the ground and groundwater and from there moved into drinking water supplies.
3m_toxic_chemicals_complaint.pdfCase Event History
3M Firefighting Chemicals and Water Contamination Complaint
December 9, 2018
This class action is one of at least three, in different parts of the country, against 3M and other companies for contamination of water with toxic chemicals. In this case, the complaint alleges that aqueous firefighting foam (AFFF) and other materials leached into the ground and groundwater and from there moved into drinking water supplies.
3m_toxic_chemicals_complaint.pdf