Bucks County The Bucks County Commissioners and District Attorney’s Office have filed a joint lawsuit against a group of local companies for manufacturing and selling products tinged with the biological hazard PFAS. Pat Ralph covered the legal action for PhillyVoice.

Exposure to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl) substances has led to illnesses that include immunological, developmental, reproductive, hepatic (liver-related), hormonal, and carcinogenic conditions.

Among the PFAS manufacturers named in the lawsuit include 3M, DuPont, and Tyco.

County officials accused the manufacturers of making and selling firefighting foams containing PFAS that were released into the local environment and contaminated water, soil, and other natural resources.

The companies named in the lawsuit have largely stopped making products containing these chemicals; however, recent testing indicates harmful levels of PFAS remnants.

“While we will continue to investigate and study the health effects of these harmful chemicals, the time to hold these companies accountable is now,” Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie said. “They knew that their firefighting foam products contained these toxic substances when they peddled them, and that they were dangerous even when used properly.”

Among the accusations that the companies are facing include negligence and civil conspiracy. County officials are also seeking civil fines, penalties, and restoration.

Any compensation received through litigation will go toward remediating contaminated sites countywide.

More on this litigation is at PhillyVoice.