Philadelphia PFAS Lawyers

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic manmade “forever chemicals” used to resist heat, grease, oil, stains, and water. PFAS were developed by the DuPont Corporation in the 1940s and widely distributed on cookware as Teflon non-stick coating. PFAS include over 15,000 chemicals resistant to environmental breakdown and is used in thousands of consumer, commercial, and industrial products, such as food packaging and personal hygiene items. PFAS are also found in animals, water, soil, and dust.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves forever chemicals for use in food packaging and cookware. The agency maintains that chemical levels are safe and pose no harm to consumers, though no laws require disclosure of their use or amounts in products and materials.

Shein Law is dedicated to protecting clients suffering from PFAS exposure-related health conditions. With our knowledge and unparalleled experience handling these complex cases, we can help you today.

How Does PFAS Exposure Occur?

The use and environmental adaptability of PFAS exposes humans in numerous ways on a regular basis, including but not limited to:

• Consumption of PFAS-contaminated water, foods, and food packaging.
• Occupational exposure in manufacturing and processing plants and firefighting.
• Inhalation of contaminated dust or soil particles from landfills, hazardous waste disposal sites, and Superfund and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) sites.
• Use of contaminated products, such as cosmetics, household cleaners, and water-repellant products, like non-stick cookware and upholstery.
• Human biosolid fertilizers applied to food crops and agricultural land.

What Health Conditions Are Caused by PFAS Exposure?

The chemicals’ longevity and extended accumulation can cause significant health risks, particularly numerous aggressive cancers, including bladder, breast, leukemia, liver, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma (plasma), pancreatic, prostate, kidney, testicular, thyroid, uterine, and endometrial. Other known health conditions include:

• Decreased liver function
• Child developmental delays, behavioral changes, and accelerated puberty
• Inability to fight infection
• Low fertility rates
• Hormone disruption
• Hypertension (preeclampsia) in pregnant women
• Increased cholesterol
• Low birth weight
• Lowered vaccine response
• Reduced immunity and inability to fight infection
• Thyroid disease
• Ulcerative colitis

Who Is At Risk of PFAS Exposure?

According to the CDC, all Americans have been exposed to PFAS in some form, but the most at-risk include:

• Firefighters, military service members and veterans, shipbuilding, petroleum, and auto industry workers using aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) fire suppressant.
• Workers exposed to or handling PFAS manufacturing facilities, factories, and agricultural industries.
• Newborn and unborn infants exposed to PFAS concentrations in mothers’ breast milk, the placenta, and long-term chemical buildup within the body.
• Developing children who breathe and consume more per pound of body weight, crawl or lie on chemically treated floors, and put their hands, toys, and fabrics in their mouths.
• Residents in communities with contaminated water supplies.

For decades, tens of thousands have had firsthand exposure to AFFF firefighting foam, placing family mothers and others at significant secondary exposure risk. In recent decades, cancer rates among firefighters and military veterans have risen significantly. The U.S. Department of Defense has ordered the discontinuation of AFFF use by October 1, 2024, in all U.S. military facilities worldwide. Fire departments and airports have begun eliminating and discontinuing its use.

Are There PFAS Regulations?

To protect consumers from PFAS-related health risks, the EPA identified PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund Act) in early 2024. The Superfund Act initiates investigation and clean-up of PFAS-contaminated sites to ensure that leaks, spills, and other chemical releases are reported and addressed.

Additionally, the EPA announced aggressive enforcement measures for liable parties whose practices significantly impacted the environment, including manufacturers, factories, industrial plants, and government facilities.

What Are My Legal Options for PFAS Exposure-Related Illnesses?

Litigation over PFAS-related health conditions first began in the late 1990s against  DuPont for reckless disposal practices, which caused water contamination and the deaths of hundreds of cattle in West Virginia. Thousands of PFAS contamination lawsuits ensued against numerous companies, including 3M, National Foam, Dynax, and Chemguard. The number of suits and claimants continues to rise.

In 2023, DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva contributed a $1.9 billion fund for PFAS cleanup efforts. Since June 2024, several companies, including 3M, DuPont, Tyco, and BASF, have settled lawsuits over PFAS-related illnesses.

Those who have been diagnosed with a PFAS-related health condition may be eligible to join a class action lawsuit or file a personal injury lawsuit for compensation of medical expenses, lost wages and future earnings, pain and suffering, wrongful death, and more. Military veterans may also be eligible for VA disability benefits for health conditions believed to be related to PFAS exposure during active-duty service.

PFAS cases are complex, and if you have been diagnosed with an exposure-related health condition, you need a dedicated and experienced legal team on your side. Shein Law is dedicated to helping those exposed to hazardous chemicals and environmental toxins.

The Philadelphia PFAS Lawyers at Shein Law Advocate for Clients Suffering Health Conditions From Forever Chemicals

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an illness due to PFAS exposure, contact the Philadelphia PFAS lawyers at Shein Law. Call 877-743-4652 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation. Located in Philadelphia and Pennsauken, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.