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Environmental Law > PFAS Contamination
PFAS pollution is contamination of water, soil, air, or other parts of the environment by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a large group of manufactured chemicals. Many PFAS resist breaking down, which is why they are commonly called “forever chemicals.” Certain PFAS can accumulate in people and animals over time.
PFAS have been used in certain firefighting foams, industrial processes, water-resistant clothing, stain-resistant materials, and grease-resistant products. Production, use, and disposal can release PFAS into the environment. Identifying the specific chemicals and contamination source is important when investigating potential exposure.
Research has identified associations between exposure to certain PFAS and harmful health effects. Risk depends on factors including the particular substance, exposure amount, frequency, duration, and individual characteristics. Findings about one PFAS should not automatically be applied to every chemical in the group.
Potential eligibility depends on the specific exposure, alleged harm, responsible parties, claim type, applicable law, and supporting evidence. Exposure or a health condition alone does not establish a valid claim or entitlement to compensation.
For example, contamination that substantially interferes with property use may raise a private nuisance issue when the required elements are met. Personal injury and other claims involve different requirements, including evidence connecting the alleged conduct to the claimed harm. An individual legal review can help determine which issues warrant further investigation.
Preserve water-quality reports, contamination notices, existing test results, relevant medical records, residential or employment histories, and documented expenses that you are lawfully entitled to retain. You do not need every record before seeking an initial review.
For background on occupational exposure, read Navigating Forever Chemicals and Your Workplace.
Sources: ATSDR: PFAS and Your Health; ATSDR: PFAS Health Effects; and California Civil Jury Instructions: Private Nuisance.
Concerned about PFAS contamination affecting your health or property? Matern Law Group can review your circumstances and explain potential legal options.
PFAS pollution and illegal use cases involve complex issues and requires an experienced environmental law attorney who knows how local, regional and federal environmental regulations apply.
Environmental rights are an extension of the basic human rights that mankind requires and deserves. California’s environmental laws are enforced by both state and local agencies, each charged with enforcing the laws governing specific types of environmental pollution.
What Are PFAS?
“PFAS” stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. PFAS include a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in many different products since the 1950s. They can frequently be found in things like food packaging, firefighting foam, cookware, and even clothing. Over time, these chemicals can also find their way into the soil, water, and air.
PFAS Exposure
People are exposed to PFAS in different ways, such as drinking water or eating food that is contaminated with these chemicals, using products that contain PFAS, or breathing in air that has PFAS particles. Because PFAS break down very slowly, they can build up in our bodies over time.
Concerns Around PFAS
There are concerns about the health effects of PFAS exposure. Studies have found PFAS in people’s blood and urine, and scientists continue to study the possible health problems that may result from exposure to PFAS. Because PFAS are used in so many different products, there are many opportunities for people to come into contact with them.
There are also thousands of different PFAS chemicals, each of which can remain in the environment for a long time without breaking down. This is why PFAS are often referred to as “forever chemicals.”
Potential eligibility for a PFAS claim depends on the specific exposure, alleged harm, potentially responsible defendant, claim type, applicable law, and supporting evidence. Exposure to PFAS or a diagnosis of a health condition does not, by itself, establish a valid claim or entitlement to compensation.
An individual legal review may consider:
No. A test result may contribute to an investigation, but it does not independently establish legal responsibility or causation. PFAS blood testing cannot identify the source of exposure or determine whether PFAS caused a particular health condition. Environmental testing also requires context, including where and when samples were collected and which substances were measured.
Preserve relevant water-quality reports, contamination notices, existing test results, product names, purchase records, employment history, residential history, and medical records. Include a timeline of suspected exposure and any resulting expenses or losses. Only collect materials you may lawfully access.
You do not need every record before seeking advice. An attorney can assess the available information, identify potential claims and defendants, and evaluate applicable deadlines. A community contamination report or an existing PFAS lawsuit does not automatically establish eligibility for everyone who lived or worked nearby.
For additional background on occupational exposure and related employment issues, read Navigating Forever Chemicals and Your Workplace. The article provides supporting information; whether a particular situation supports a claim requires individual legal review.
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