Judge says 3M, DuPont, and Honeywell must face Connecticut firefighters' PFAS claims

Turnout gear is designed to shield firefighters from extreme heat, smoke, and other life-threatening dangers. 

However, a September 15 court ruling found that the protective equipment may also have exposed them to PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals," which have been linked to health risks.

Here's what to know

According to The Guardian, U.S. District Judge Alvin Thompson said claims can proceed against more than 20 companies, including 3M, DuPont, and Honeywell, in a case brought by Connecticut firefighter unions and individual firefighters who say PFAS in their gear raised their cancer risk.

Lawyers for 13 firefighter union groups and a dozen individual firefighters filed the proposed class action in June 2024, The Guardian reported. They argue that the gear meant to protect firefighters from flames and extreme heat instead led to exposure to the chemicals through skin absorption, inhalation, and ingestion.

The judge said the unions had "organizational" standing to pursue damages. He also said firefighters may seek damages and medical monitoring even when they are not yet showing outward signs of illness.

According to the complaint, the gear contained 3M's Scotchlite reflective material andDuPont's Kevlar, and Honeywell manufactured turnout gear. Some liabilities tied to DuPont are now associated with its spin-offs Chemours and Corteva.

More background

The term PFAS refers to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Their nickname "forever chemicals" comes from the fact that they don't break down easily in the body or in the environment, and they have been associated with several health problems.

In pushing for dismissal, the defendants argued there was no allegation that the gear "failed to serve its function of protecting firefighters from the hazards of fighting fires."

PFAS also can be in many everyday items, such as nonstick cookware, cosmetics, and stain-resistant clothing.

What's being done?

This ruling does not determine whether the companies are liable, but it does allow the case to move forward rather than be dismissed at an early stage.

Thompson also said the plaintiffs had plausibly claimed that 3M had a duty to warn people about PFAS risks and had acted negligently.

The lawsuit lands as PFAS makers face wider scrutiny. As The Guardian reported, DuPont, 3M, and two other companies agreed in 2023 to settlements worth more than $11 billion over allegations that PFAS in firefighting foam and other products contaminated drinking water, though the companies did not admit wrongdoing.

Where can I learn more?

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