PFOA and PFOS Water Contamination Lawsuit

What Is PFOA and PFOS Water Contamination?

Both PFOA and PFOS present serious health concerns when present in drinking water supplies. As a result, the need for testing and treatment when the chemicals are present is crucial. Environmental regulatory agencies have detected these chemicals in drinking water across the country with increasing regularity.

“People are unable to protect themselves from the things they can’t see — such as chemicals like PFOA and PFOS – that are in the air or their water,” said Nancy Christensen, an environmental attorney at Weitz & Luxenberg.

“Our advocacy is designed to make sure that PFOA and PFOS contamination is no longer in people’s drinking water. People who have been harmed by past contamination should receive compensation for their losses and, when appropriate, medical monitoring to ensure early detection of disease that could be caused from such exposure.”

PFOA and PFOS Are Widely Used and Remain in the Environment

PFOA and PFOS contamination is often linked to industrial facilities where PFOA and PFOS were manufactured. You also can find these chemicals near airfields, where PFOA and PFOS were used for firefighting and training and near landfills. ⁽¹⁾

Manufacturers started using chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the 1940s. They use PFOA and PFOS to manufacture products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. These chemicals poison our groundwater. ⁽²⁾ Iconic brands include Teflon, STAINMASTER, Scotchgard, and SilverStone. 

Here are some answers to your questions about PFOA and PFOS:

What are PFOA and PFOS contaminants? PFOA and PFOS chemicals contaminate our environment through industrial waste.

What is PFOA and PFOS found in? PFOA and PFOS can be found in drinking water, cardboard food packaging, stain-resistant furniture and carpets, nonstick coatings, cookware, ski wax, and firefighting foam. ⁽³⁾

Can PFOA and PFOS be filtered out of drinking water? Yes, filters can reduce PFOA and PFOS. ⁽⁴⁾

What states have PFOA and PFOS in water? PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS, are found in water across the country. ⁽⁵⁾

Do water filters remove PFOA and PFOS? Common in-home water filters do not entirely remove PFOA and PFOS. ⁽⁶⁾

Mounting Evidence of the Dangers Caused by PFOA and PFOS

The words “firefighter” and “cancer” are so interlinked “that they are now nearly inseparable.” Being exposed to carcinogenic chemicals such as PFAS may increase a firefighter’s “risk of developing different types of cancer. … Elevated levels of PFAS have been observed in firefighters’ blood serum in recent studies. Possible sources of occupational exposure to PFAS include turnout gear” and aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). ⁽⁷⁾

Individuals “are exposed to forever chemicals through contaminated water, food, and air, as well as countless products including cosmetics and upholstery.” Scientists are still trying to determine “what risks these ubiquitous ‘forever chemicals’ pose to public health.” ⁽⁸⁾

Exposure to PFOA and PFOS can affect developing infants and children. In addition, these chemicals may interfere with your natural hormones, and increase your risk of developing ulcerative colitis or pregnancy-induced hypertension. ^{(9) (10)}

Possible consequences include thyroid disease, liver damage, and these other health concerns.

Kidney Cancer

Scientists of one study concluded that PFOA is likely a renal carcinogen. Many individuals exposed to PFOA may face a higher risk of developing kidney cancer. ⁽¹¹⁾

Testicular Cancer

“Testicular cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among U.S. active-duty servicemen and among young adult men in general.” Scientists in one study suggested that higher levels of PFOS in a person’s blood may be linked to testicular cancer. ⁽¹²⁾

Thyroid Disease

One study suggested PFAS are “negatively associated with total T4, and their effect can be different depending on the PFAS concentration.” ⁽¹³⁾ T4, thyroxine, is the primary hormone produced by the thyroid gland. ⁽¹⁴⁾

Ulcerative Colitis

Another study “found higher serum PFOA” in patients with ulcerative colitis as “compared to Crohn’s disease patients or controls.” ⁽¹⁵⁾

Here you can find more answers to your questions about PFAS chemicals:

How worried should I be about PFAS? Your health can be affected by PFAS amounts in your water that are near zero. ⁽¹⁶⁾

What should I do if I have been exposed to PFAS? If your drinking water is contaminated, use a different water source. ⁽¹⁷⁾

What does PFAS do to your body? PFAS may lead to higher cholesterol, changes in liver function, reduced immune response, thyroid disease, and increased risk of kidney or testicular cancer. ^{(18) (19)}

EPA Updates PFOA and PFOS Drinking Water Advisories

In June 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updated its drinking water health advisories for perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid. ⁽²⁰⁾

In its 2022 advisory, the agency reported updated Interim Health Advisory Levels of 0.004 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and 0.02 ppt for PFOS. ⁽²¹⁾

In March 2023, the EPA proposed an MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA and 4 ppt for PFOS. ^{(22) (23)} 

On April 10, 2024, the EPA announced a national drinking water standard. The “EPA is setting enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels at 4.0 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS, individually. This standard will reduce exposure from these PFAS in our drinking water to the lowest levels that are feasible for effective implementation.” ⁽²⁴⁾

PFOA and PFOS Water Contamination Lawsuit and Multidistrict Litigation

If you, a loved one, or your community members were harmed by PFOA or PFOS in water, you may be able to file a PFOA or PFOS lawsuit. In addition, if you were exposed to PFOA or PFOS through firefighting foam and became ill, you may be eligible to sue for your pain and suffering.

A specific type of foam called aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) “is often used in shipboard and shore facility fire suppression systems, fire fighting vehicles, and at fire training facilities.” ⁽²⁵⁾ AFFF contains PFAS, which harms human beings, our environment, waterways, and wildlife. ⁽²⁶⁾

People who are firefighters, or live or work near military bases or other places that use AFFF, may be at risk of illness from their exposure. 

Here are the answers to some questions about filing a lawsuit if you were injured due to PFOA and PFOS:

What companies are involved in the PFAS lawsuits? Weitz & Luxenberg has filed lawsuits against 3M Company, Saint-Gobain, Honeywell, Taconic Plastics, Buckeye Fire Equipment Company, Chemguard, Tyco Fire Products, DuPont, and National Foam. 

Can I sue for PFAS exposure? Yes, if you or a loved one was harmed from PFAS exposure you can file a lawsuit against the company that caused you harm.

The Litigation Process

Everything starts with good attorneys. Everyone’s specific circumstances are different. Once you’ve found attorneys you can trust and feel comfortable with, they can guide you through the litigation process. 

Individuals, communities, and groups of people — such as firefighters — who have been harmed can file a lawsuit against the companies that endangered their lives. Already, thousands of people have filed PFAS lawsuits. Companies have paid billions of dollars to settle claims. ^{(27) (28) (29)}

Weitz & Luxenberg has taken on multiple PFOS and PFOA cases where people have been harmed. We can file a lawsuit on your behalf.

Weitz & Luxenberg: At the Forefront of Water Contamination Lawsuits

PFOA and PFOS exposure can lead to serious health concerns. These toxic chemicals have been used in all kinds of products. They stick around in our environment. They endanger the people who manufacture them — as well as people who use them in their jobs — such as fire fighters. Everyday citizens are also hurt through exposure to these chemicals in the products we buy and the environment that surrounds us.

Weitz & Luxenberg has been representing clients and communities harmed by dangerous substances since the mid-1980s. As a national firm, we have the resources to stand up against seemingly untouchable large corporations. Plus, we have a history of winning. 

If you or members of your community became sick after being exposed to PFOA or PFOS, contact us to see how we can help you.

Here are some of the other people we have helped:

• W&L achieved a settlement of $423 million in a lawsuit against some of the largest oil companies in the country for contaminating public water systems with MTBE. 
• W&L helped secure a large financial settlement between the City of Stuart, Florida, and 3M for contaminating groundwater wells and the public water system with PFAS. 
• W&L reached a settlement of $65.25 million with Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corp., 3M Co., and Honeywell International Inc., for their role in contaminating the drinking water of Hoosick Falls, New York. 
• W&L completed a settlement of $23.5 million with Taconic Plastics Limited to compensate the residents of Petersburgh, New York, for their injuries after they were exposed to contaminated water.

Updated August 15, 2025