Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a lawsuit against chemical manufacturers 3M and DuPont, accusing them of misleading the public about the safety of PFAS chemicals in household products like Teflon and Scotchgard.
PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” are highly persistent in the environment and linked to health risks like cancer and thyroid disease. These chemicals contaminate water, animals, and humans, accumulating over time.
The lawsuit alleges that 3M and DuPont knew about the risks of PFAS for more than 50 years but continued to market their products as safe. “Defendants marketed products containing harmful PFAS chemicals for over 70 years while concealing their dangers from consumers,” the filing claims.
“These companies were aware of the risks yet chose to deceive Texans by advertising dangerous chemicals as safe for families,” Paxton said. “This lawsuit seeks accountability for their actions and justice for those harmed.”
Paxton has been a strong advocate for addressing the dangers of PFAS, previously suing companies over PFAS-containing firefighting foam. The new lawsuit expands his efforts to include consumer products and their long-term health impacts.
The case is being handled with assistance from the Lanier Law Firm and Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, as Texas pushes for accountability from companies that prioritized profits over public safety.
