PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—are synthetic chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products since the 1950s. They are found in nonstick cookware, water-resistant clothing, stain-resistant carpeting, firefighting foam, food packaging, and countless other everyday products. They are called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment. They accumulate in soil, water, and in the human body. Today, at least 45 percent of U.S. tap water contains one or more types of PFAS, and nearly all humans carry detectable levels in their blood.

Health Effects of PFAS Exposure

PFAS exposure has been linked to increased risks of kidney, breast, pancreatic, prostate, and testicular cancers, liver damage and fatty liver disease, decreased birth weight and birth defects, weakened immune response including reduced vaccine effectiveness, elevated cholesterol levels, infertility and reproductive problems, type 2 diabetes, and thyroid disease. The health effects are cumulative—the longer the exposure and the higher the concentration, the greater the risk.

How PFAS Contamination Spreads

PFAS contamination enters water systems primarily through industrial discharge, military and airport firefighting foam runoff, wastewater treatment plant effluent, and landfill leachate. Because PFAS chemicals do not degrade, they persist in groundwater and surface water indefinitely. Communities near industrial facilities, military bases, airports, and landfills are particularly affected—but PFAS contamination has been found in water systems across the country, including throughout Los Angeles County and Southern California.

Litigation and Accountability

The PFAS litigation is massive and growing. Attorneys general from more than 30 states have initiated legal action against PFAS manufacturers. 3M has agreed to settlements exceeding $12 billion for water contamination claims. DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva have paid billions in state-level settlements. Individual claims continue to be filed by people diagnosed with cancers and other health conditions linked to PFAS exposure in their drinking water.

Who Can File a Claim

Individuals who have been exposed to PFAS-contaminated water—whether through their municipal water system, private well, or proximity to a contamination source—and have developed a qualifying health condition may be eligible to pursue compensation. Communities, water providers, and public entities may also have claims for the costs of testing, filtering, and remediating contaminated water systems.

PFAS contamination is a public health crisis unfolding in slow motion. If you have been exposed to PFAS-contaminated water and developed a serious health condition, Beverly Wilshire Law APC can help you understand your legal options. Call (310) 424-5566 or email info@bevwilshire.com for a free consultation—we’re here to guide you in the right direction.