The Chemours Company was established in 2015 as a spinoff of American multinational chemical maker DuPont. Its core purpose was to focus on ‘performance chemicals’ such as fluoroproducts. This includes the popular non-stick cookware brand Teflon.
When the crisis surrounding PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) broke out, however, many began to cast doubt on the true intentions behind Chemours. At one point, Chemours sued DuPont over the spinoff, accusing the latter of offloading or passing on the environmental liabilities surrounding PFAS and related products, such as AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam), to them.
While the case against DuPont has been dismissed due to technicalities, Chemours remains a defendant in thousands of lawsuits tied to AFFF exposure.
During the 20th century, AFFF was hailed as a groundbreaking invention. It can effectively extinguish Class B fires, which refer to hazardous flammable liquids like jet fuel, oil, and gasoline, in under 30 seconds. The catch, however, would emerge in later years as the public became aware of the dangers lurking in these firefighting foams.
PFAS consists of over 15,000 chemical compounds and has been collectively dubbed as ‘forever chemicals’ due to their persistent nature. Since they do not break down easily, they tend to accumulate and become contaminants in the environment. When absorbed, they can also stay in the human body, causing harmful effects.
Multiple studies have been made suggesting a connection between constant PFAS exposure and numerous health problems, including:
Out of the thousands of chemicals under the PFAS group, at least one has been proven to cause cancer: PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), commonly found in legacy or older versions of AFFF.
Like DuPont, Chemours has repeatedly denied directly selling and manufacturing AFFF. Still, thousands of lawsuits filed against them allege that they neglected their duty to warn the public about the danger lurking in their PFAS chemicals.
Several internal memos from chemical manufacturers, including Chemours, DuPont, and 3M, showed that they had been aware of the environmental and health risks associated with PFAS exposure. Some of these even date back to the 1960s.
Over 10,000 AFFF claims accusing Chemours have been filed and are being centralized in the District Court in South Carolina. However, this is just one of the many litigations the Delaware-based company is currently facing over the PFAS-made AFFF. As of July 2023, Chemours, along with other multi-million chemical manufacturers like DuPont, Corteva, and 3M, have already paid a total of close to $11.5 billion in damages for PFAS contamination.
The latest development in Chemours’ legal battle involving PFAS occurred in 2024 when the company agreed to settle claims from public water systems nationwide. Together with other chemical manufacturers accused of causing undue injury and harm, they agreed to pay up to $1.185 billion.
Firefighters with AFFF exposure may face serious health risks due to the presence of PFAS in these firefighting foams. If you’re struggling with a disease linked to AFFF exposure, we can help you get started in filing toxic exposure claims.
Atraxia Law brings over 35 years of experience in supporting cases involving toxic exposure and defective products. Our team has assisted countless victims of toxic exposure, including many firefighters, by making the claims process easier and faster. If you want to determine your eligibility, we encourage you to schedule a case evaluation today at no cost. Once you qualify, you will be promptly referred to a specialized attorney who can provide the legal support you need in these difficult times.
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