Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against 3M and DuPont, accusing the companies of marketing toxic PFAS chemicals as safe while knowing their harmful effects for decades.
PFAS chemicals, widely used in household products like Teflon, Scotchgard, and Stainmaster, are persistent in the environment and linked to serious health conditions, including cancer. These chemicals also contaminate water, wildlife, and human blood over time.
According to the lawsuit, the companies misled the public by concealing the dangers of PFAS. “Defendants marketed products containing harmful PFAS chemicals for over 70 years while misrepresenting their safety and concealing risks from consumers,” the filing states.
“These companies knowingly jeopardized public health by continuing to sell and advertise products they knew were dangerous,” Paxton said. “This lawsuit is a step toward holding them accountable and protecting Texans from further harm.”
Paxton previously led lawsuits against manufacturers of PFAS-containing firefighting foam, citing its harmful environmental effects. This case shifts the focus to consumer products and the long-term risks posed by these chemicals.
The lawsuit, supported by outside counsel from the Lanier Law Firm and Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, seeks to penalize 3M and DuPont for their role in perpetuating the use of hazardous PFAS chemicals.
