Texas sues DuPont, 3M over 'forever chemicals' in consumer products [View all]

Source: Yahoo! News/The Hill

Thu, December 12, 2024 at 7:46 PM EST


(The Hill) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) is suing companies that have historically made toxic “forever chemicals,” commonly referred to as PFAS, or products that contain them, alleging false advertising over their safety.

Paxton, in his lawsuit, alleged that DuPont’s Teflon and 3M’s Scotchgard were among products that the companies sold to Texans while concealing “substantial risks from consumers and the State.”

“Defendants marketed products containing harmful PFAS chemicals for over 70 years and were aware of the harmful effects of PFAS chemicals for over 50 years,” the lawsuit said. “Despite this knowledge, Defendants continued to market PFAS products and chemicals in Texas and elsewhere as safe for consumer use, misrepresent their environmental and biological risks, and conceal risks of harm from the public,” it continued.

PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, is the name of a family of chemicals that have been widely used in a range of consumer products including nonstick pans and waterproof clothing and cosmetics. The substances have also been linked to a range of health issues including cancers, and issues with the thyroid, immune system and fertility.

Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/texas-sues-dupont-3m-over-004639158.html