Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing companies that have historically manufactured toxic “forever chemicals,” commonly referred to as PFAS, or products containing them, alleging false advertising about their safety. are.
Paxton alleges in his lawsuit that DuPont's Teflon and 3M's Scotchgard were among the products the companies sold to Texans while concealing “significant risks from consumers and the nation.”
“Defendants have been selling products containing harmful PFAS chemicals for more than 70 years and have known of the harmful effects of PFAS chemicals for more than 50 years,” the complaint states.
“Despite this knowledge, defendants continue to sell PFAS products and chemicals in Texas and elsewhere as safe for consumer use, misrepresenting environmental and biological risks, and promoting harm. continued to conceal the risks from the public,” the judgment continued.
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and is the name for chemicals commonly used in a variety of consumer products such as nonstick pans, waterproof clothing, and cosmetics.
These substances have also been linked to a variety of health problems, including cancer, thyroid, immune system, and fertility problems.
These are sometimes referred to as “eternal chemicals” because they remain in the environment for very long periods of time without being broken down. They are widespread on land and water, and are estimated to be in the blood of virtually every American.
In filing the lawsuit, Texas joined the chorus of other states, red and blue. file a lawsuit over chemicals. Some of these lawsuits allege false advertising, while others seek compensation for alleged contamination.
But as a broad center of Republican politics, the Texas case is significant.
In 2015, DuPont spun off a division that makes products containing PFAS. In 2017, the company merged with Dow, but then split, creating a separate company called Corteva in 2019 that includes some of the assets of both companies.
As a result, the company, now called DuPont, claims it is not the same company that historically manufactured Teflon and other PFAS-containing products.
In response to the lawsuit, DuPont spokesman Dan Turner said, “DuPont de Nemours has never manufactured PFOA or PFOS,'' two particularly toxic and relatively well-studied types. You mentioned PFAS.
“While we do not comment on litigation matters, we believe this complaint is without merit and look forward to vigorously defending our safety, health and environmental management record,” Turner said in an email. said.
The Hill reached out to spokespeople for 3M and Corteva, which were also sued by Texas.
