Firefighters in Connecticut are suing chemical giants 3M and DuPont, along with nearly two dozen other companies, alleging their protective gear is contaminated with harmful "forever chemicals" known as PFAS.
The class action lawsuit, filed in New Haven federal court on June 25th, 2024, names 20 defendants in total, including major chemical manufacturers and seeks over $5 million in damages for violations of the Connecticut Product Liability Act.
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Brought by the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut and several local firefighter unions, the complaint alleges that the protective gear firefighters rely on to stay safe actually puts them at risk.
In the lawsuit, the firefighters detail how the gear contains PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which have been linked to various cancers, immune system disorders, and other health problems according to the lawsuit.
Firefighters are concerned about exposure to PFAS because the chemicals don't break down easily in the environment and can accumulate in the body over time. The complaint specifically mentions that heat exposure can cause PFAS to break down into smaller particles.
"When exposed to heat, PFAS can off-gas, break down, and degrade into highly mobile and toxic particles and dust, increasing the risk of PFAS exposure via dermal absorption, ingestion, and inhalation,” the lawsuit argues. These smaller particles can then be inhaled or absorbed through the skin, potentially increasing the risk of adverse health effects.
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The firefighters allege that the companies that manufactured the gear, including 3M and DuPont, knew about the dangers of PFAS but failed to warn firefighters about the potential health risks.
The lawsuit states that the companies "represented the opposite" of the truth and "profited immensely" by not implementing safer alternatives.
“As a direct and proximate result of Defendants’ conduct, including the design, manufacture, distribution, and sale of the PFAS-contaminated turnout gear and/or the PFAS contaminated components of turnout gear, Plaintiffs, Plaintiffs’ members, and Class members have been exposed to hazardous levels of PFAS Chemicals through the dermal absorption, ingestion, and inhalation of PFAS Chemicals,” the lawsuit asserts.
This isn't the first time 3M has faced legal action over PFAS. The company recently settled a $12.5 billion lawsuit with water suppliers over PFAS contamination, and analysts predict there may be more lawsuits to come.
And while 3M has faced lawsuits over PFAS in firefighting foam, attorney Ian Sloss, representing the firefighters, told the CT Tribune that he “believes this is the first lawsuit concerning PFAS dangers in firefighter turnout gear.”
"None of the firefighters included in the class action have any condition they are specifically linking to PFAS," Sloss said. "They're just tired of feeling like they're potentially getting sick or exposing themselves to toxins every time they're putting on their gear and not having any legal action taken on their behalf."
In the 3M firefighter gear PFAS lawsuit, the plaintiffs are seeking various forms of relief for the harm caused by PFAS exposure. Primarily, they request the establishment of a comprehensive medical monitoring program to facilitate early detection and treatment of any related diseases or illnesses. This program would include diagnostic testing to monitor individuals' health and identify any PFAS-related conditions at an early stage.
Additionally, the plaintiffs are seeking financial compensation for their suffering, including statutory punitive damages and compensatory damages.
To prevent future harm, the plaintiffs also request equitable relief in the form of court orders directing each defendant to cease manufacturing turnout gear or any component of turnout gear containing PFAS chemicals.
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