3M, DuPont and more to face lawsuit on Pfas in US firefighters’ protective gear
Connecticut plaintiffs say ‘forever chemicals’ in turnout gear increase risk of cancer by absorption and inhalation
TL;DR
- More than 20 defendants, including 3M, DuPont, and Honeywell, must face claims by Connecticut firefighters.
- Firefighters allege that toxic 'forever chemicals' (Pfas) in their protective gear increase their risk of cancer.
- The chemicals allegedly leach into the body through skin absorption, ingestion, and inhalation.
- A federal judge granted standing for the firefighter unions and individual firefighters to seek damages and medical monitoring.
- The lawsuit specifically targets Pfas in firefighter gear, including materials like Scotchlite and Kevlar.
- Defendants argued there was no plausible link between their products and the alleged harm or that the gear did not fail its primary function.