NEW YORK: New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a sweeping lawsuit against chemical giants 3M, DuPont and several related companies, accusing them of knowingly exposing millions of people to toxic "forever chemicals" while concealing their health and environmental risks for decades.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday in a state court in Albany, alleges that the companies manufactured, marketed and sold per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) despite being aware of their harmful effects on human health and the environment. The state is seeking financial compensation for environmental cleanup, consumer warnings, damages, restitution and civil penalties.
The legal action targets 3M and DuPont along with Chemours, Corteva and EIDP—companies that emerged from DuPont through corporate restructuring. According to the complaint, the defendants continued contributing to widespread PFAS contamination even after beginning to phase out some of the chemicals, while failing to adequately inform the public about the associated risks.
What are PFAS and why are they called 'forever chemicals'?
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large group of synthetic chemicals used for decades in hundreds of consumer and industrial products because of their resistance to heat, water and oil.
They are commonly found in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, cosmetics, firefighting foams and numerous industrial applications.
These substances are widely referred to as "forever chemicals" because they break down extremely slowly, allowing them to accumulate in the environment, drinking water, wildlife and the human body over time.
Growing scientific evidence has linked long-term PFAS exposure to a range of adverse health outcomes, making them one of the most closely monitored environmental contaminants worldwide.
Health concerns continue to drive global scrutiny
The lawsuit highlights mounting concerns over the potential health effects associated with PFAS exposure.
According to public health authorities, research has associated certain PFAS compounds with elevated cholesterol levels, reduced immune response to vaccines, low birth weight and increased risks of kidney and testicular cancers. Scientists continue to investigate additional health effects as evidence evolves.
The case reflects growing international attention to PFAS contamination as governments, regulators and health agencies seek to better understand the long-term consequences of widespread exposure.
New York seeks cleanup costs and consumer protections
Attorney General Letitia James said communities have shouldered the financial burden of cleaning up PFAS contamination for far too long.
In announcing the lawsuit, she said the companies responsible for PFAS pollution should be held accountable for the costs of protecting public health and the environment.
The state is asking the court to require the defendants to fund environmental remediation efforts, provide appropriate consumer warnings regarding PFAS-containing products, and pay damages, restitution and civil fines.
As of Thursday, the companies named in the lawsuit had not publicly responded to the allegations.
Lawsuit follows years of PFAS litigation
The latest case adds to a growing wave of litigation involving PFAS contamination across the United States.
In 2025, 3M agreed to pay New Jersey up to $450 million over 25 years to settle claims that PFAS released by the company contaminated the state's drinking water.
More recently, Chemours reached a $450 million settlement with the US government over allegations that PFAS polluted waterways in New Jersey, North Carolina and West Virginia.
However, that federal agreement drew criticism from several environmental organizations as well as North Carolina officials, who argued that the settlement did not go far enough to address the impact on affected communities.
Meanwhile, the regulatory landscape surrounding PFAS continues to evolve. Earlier this year, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to roll back certain drinking water limits for some PFAS compounds that had been introduced under the previous administration, a move that has generated debate among environmental and public health experts.
Why this matters for public health
The New York lawsuit underscores the increasing legal, regulatory and medical focus on PFAS exposure as a global public health issue.
Although the case will now proceed through the courts and the allegations remain to be tested, it highlights broader concerns about persistent environmental pollutants that may remain in ecosystems and human tissues for years.
For healthcare professionals, researchers and policymakers, the litigation also reflects the growing importance of environmental health in disease prevention, toxicology research and public health policy.
As scientific understanding of PFAS continues to advance, the outcome of this case could influence future regulation, corporate accountability and environmental cleanup efforts far beyond New York.
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