Manufacturers including 3M, DuPont taint drinking water, Fresno alleges in suit
The city of Fresno recently filed a lawsuit against a slew of major manufacturing and industrial companies over the so-called forever chemicals they use that have leached into drinking water.
The city’s lawsuit, filed Nov. 3, names 3M Company, DuPont de Nemours Inc., E&J Gallo Winery and at least 25 other companies in the complaint that targets manufacturers and users of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly called “PFAS.”
PFAS are widely used chemicals that break down slowly over a significant amount of time and can be found in drinking water, fish and soil, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The EPA says the chemicals are known to contribute to birth defects, certain cancers, immune disorders and a number of other health risks.
PFAS can be found in cookware, cement, mattresses and many other household items that have been in use going back several decades. Manufacturers have also used chemicals containing PFAS for metal stripping, finishing, cleaning and other metal work since the 1950s.
Cities must clean drinking water and as the state standard has grown tighter over the years, the costs have grown for municipalities, the lawsuit notes.
The Fresno lawsuit seeks compensation for punitive damages and cleanup, as well as other financial compensation for damages. City Attorney Andrew Janz said the lawsuit is meant to hold accountable companies that contribute to the contamination of local water and soil.
Fresno County also tops the list of California counties for using pesticides that contain PFAs, according to an Environmental Working Group analysis.
Companies like 3M and DuPont have in recent years agreed to settlements in the billions of dollars.
Municipalities have pulled in millions in these lawsuits, like the $37 million Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was awarded and $875 million in New Jersey state.
