Illinois sues 14 manufacturers over PFAS contamination

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has filed a lawsuit against 14 manufactures over their production of or use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The list of companies includes DuPont, BASF, Bayer, and Corteva. The lawsuit alleges that these manufacturers knew that PFAS were toxic but misrepresented the “forever chemicals” as safe to produce and use. Recently, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) sampled drinking water from communities across the state to see if there was PFAS contamination. Of the communities tested, 152 contained the chemicals at levels greater than or equal to Illinois EPA’s Health Advisory Levels at 70 entry points.

In a recent quote, Raoul said, “For decades, manufacturers have been aware of the dangers of PFAS yet still promote the chemicals as being safe to use. As a result, PFAS have contaminated our water supplies across Illinois. The manufacturers of forever chemicals must be held accountable for the widespread contamination to our natural resources. This lawsuit is an important step toward accountability and protecting the surrounding environment and public health.”