Federal judge allows firefighters' PFAS lawsuit against chemical companies to proceed

The short version

• A federal judge in Connecticut ruled that a lawsuit against more than 20 defendants over toxic PFAS in protective turnout gear can proceed.[The Guardian]
• Plaintiffs include 12 individual firefighters and 13 union organizations who allege that chemical exposure from gear increases cancer risks.[The Guardian]
• The court allowed claims for damages and medical monitoring even for firefighters who currently show no outward symptoms of disease.[The Guardian]

Key facts

• US District Judge Alvin Thompson ruled that over 20 defendants including 3M, DuPont, and Honeywell must face litigation over PFAS in protective gear.[The Guardian]
• The lawsuit was brought by 12 Connecticut firefighters and 13 firefighter union organizations.[The Guardian]
• The court ruled that unions have standing and firefighters can pursue medical monitoring and damages without showing current outward symptoms.[The Guardian]
• The suit alleges that turnout gear leached toxic chemicals via skin absorption, ingestion, and inhalation.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• 3M, DuPont and more to face lawsuit on Pfas in US firefighters’ protective gearThe Guardian - Environment