The British Columbia government is taking a bold step by pursuing a class-action lawsuit against manufacturers of “forever chemicals,” accusing them of contaminating drinking water systems. Spearheaded by Attorney General Niki Sharma, the province is holding companies accountable for their role in the widespread pollution caused by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
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This legal action marks B.C.’s proactive approach to recovering health-care costs associated with harmful substances, following similar lawsuits against tobacco and opioid manufacturers. The lawsuit targets 12 companies, including industry giants like 3M, DuPont, and BASF.
The defendants allegedly downplayed the dangers of PFAS chemicals, which have been linked to various health issues like childhood obesity and cancer. Professor Madjid Mohseni from the University of B.C. warns of the ubiquitous presence of PFAS in everyday products, emphasizing the long-lasting environmental and health impacts.
While these chemicals offer convenience in daily life, they come at a significant cost to public health and the environment. The lawsuit seeks to hold accountable those responsible for the harm caused by PFAS chemicals.