Firefighters sue 3M and DuPont over PFAS

Overview of the firefighter class action lawsuit:

• WHO: Fire departments in Connecticut have filed a class action lawsuit against several chemical manufacturers, including 3M and DuPont.
• Why: 3M and DuPont allegedly knew that the products used to manufacture their firefighter protective equipment contained dangerous levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, but failed to warn firefighters of this danger.
• Where: The firefighters’ PFAS lawsuit was filed in federal court in the state of Connecticut.

A new class action lawsuit filed by firefighters in the US state of Connecticut alleges that their protective equipment contained dangerous levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

The Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association, along with five firefighter unions and five individual firefighters, has filed a class action lawsuit against chemical manufacturers 3M Company, DuPont De Nemours Inc. and others.

The firefighters’ class action lawsuit accuses the defendants of representing their chemicals and materials as safe and failing to warn customers of the significant risks to human health.

PFAS are a class of synthetic chemical compounds called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down over time. These properties cause them to remain in the human body and the environment for extremely long periods of time, the firefighters’ class action lawsuit states.

According to the lawsuit, PFAS can be absorbed through the skin, ingested or inhaled. They can also be passed from mother to baby via the placenta or breast milk.

Exposure to PFAS is linked to various types of cancer, tumors, liver damage, endocrine disorders, immune system disorders, high cholesterol, reduced fertility and birth defects, the firefighters’ class action lawsuit says.

Plaintiff: Defendants did not warn firefighters about possible PFAS contamination

Firefighters wear turnout gear to protect themselves while on the job, the class action lawsuit states. Turnout gear includes helmets, hoods, jackets, pants, boots and gloves.

The components of the turnout gear consist of three layers: a water-resistant outer shell, a middle moisture barrier and an inner thermal liner, the firefighters’ PFAS lawsuit says. It says scientific research has confirmed that all three layers of this protective clothing contain significant amounts of PFAS.

Exposure to the PFAS contained in their equipment allegedly caused firefighters to experience “subclinical cellular changes in the body that put them at risk for developing adverse health conditions, including, among others, various types of cancer,” the class action lawsuit states.

Plaintiffs filed the firefighters’ PFAS lawsuit on behalf of all firefighters in Connecticut who wore turnout gear manufactured, designed, or sold by any of the defendants.

A federal judge from South Carolina provisionally approved a $750 million settlement over allegations that Tyco manufactured firefighting foam containing PFAS that entered the public water supply.

Do you think the defendants should be held liable for failing to warn firefighters about potential PFAS exposure? Join the discussion in the comments.

The firefighters are represented by Ian W. Sloss, Jennifer Sclar and Kate Sayed of Silver Golub & Teitell LLP.

The Class action lawsuit against firefighters over PFAS Is United States Fire Department Firefighters Association et al. v 3M Company et al.Case No. 3:24-cv-01101, in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut.

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