Texas Takes On Chemical Giants: Shocking Lawsuit Over Dangerous ‘Forever Chemicals

The state of Texas has filed a lawsuit against chemical giants DuPont and 3M, alleging decades-long deception regarding the health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), widely known as “forever chemicals.” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the legal action on Wednesday, accusing the companies of misleading consumers about the safety of popular household products like Teflon, Stainmaster, and Scotchgard.

Decades of Concealment

PFAS are synthetic compounds that resist breaking down in the environment or the human body, leading to their pervasive presence in water, air, soil, and even human blood. Used in nonstick cookware, waterproof materials, and protective coatings, these chemicals have been linked to harmful health effects, including cancer, according to studies cited by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Paxton’s lawsuit claims that DuPont and 3M have been aware of PFAS’s harmful effects for over five decades but continued marketing these chemicals as safe for consumer use, deliberately concealing their risks. The lawsuit also demands $1 million or more in civil penalties and seeks an injunction to halt deceptive practices.

Mounting Legal Challenges

DuPont and 3M have faced numerous lawsuits over PFAS-related liabilities, amounting to billions of dollars. In June 2023, 3M agreed to pay $10.3 billion over 13 years to settle water pollution claims. The settlement, though significant, was not an admission of liability. Similarly, DuPont, along with Chemours and Corteva, agreed to a $1.19 billion settlement for PFAS water pollution claims brought by public water systems. The Texas lawsuit adds to the growing scrutiny over PFAS chemicals. Highlighted in the 2019 film Dark Waters, which portrayed environmental attorney Robert Bilott’s legal battle against DuPont for PFAS contamination in West Virginia, these chemicals have become a symbol of corporate negligence. Texas now seeks accountability for decades of alleged consumer deception that it claims endangered families and children.

Regulatory and Corporate Shifts

In response to escalating lawsuits and regulatory pressures, 3M announced in 2022 its plan to stop producing PFAS by the end of 2025 and eliminate their use across its product portfolio. The company cited evolving regulatory trends and stakeholder expectations as factors behind the decision.

“These companies knew for decades that PFAS chemicals could cause serious harm to human health yet continued to advertise them as safe for household use,” Paxton stated. “Texas is taking action to penalize these companies and hold them accountable for deceiving Texans into buying consumer products without vital information.”

This lawsuit marks another chapter in the global reckoning over PFAS, as governments, advocacy groups, and individuals push for transparency and accountability. As Texas leads this legal charge, the outcome could influence future regulatory and corporate decisions, reshaping how chemical safety is addressed worldwide.

A Fight for Accountability

With billions at stake and public health on the line, Texas’s lawsuit against DuPont and 3M underscores the urgent need for corporate accountability in addressing the environmental and human health impacts of forever chemicals. The case serves as a stark reminder of the long-lasting consequences of prioritizing profits over transparency.