New Hanover County sues Chemours, PFAS manufacturers for contaminating environment, endangering firefighters

New Hanover County is suing Chemours, DuPont and several other PFAS manufacturers for years of contamination.

In addition to widespread environmental contamination, the lawsuit also sheds light on the historical use of PFAS in firefighting foam. Firefighting foams containing PFAS, once a common practice, have been identified as a significant source of contamination, the lawsuit alleges. The lawsuit claims these products have inadvertently contributed to the pollution of our environment, posing health risks to firefighters and residents. New Hanover County has ceased the use of firefighting foam containing PFAS.

"The blatant disregard for the health and well-being of our citizens and the environment is something we as County Commissioners take very seriously, and it’s why we have authorized this litigation," said New Hanover County Board of Commissioners Chair Bill Rivenbark. "For decades, companies have allowed these toxins to be released into the air we breathe and water we drink. They’ve also knowingly used PFAS in products that were crucial to public safety but were also contributing factors to contamination. It’s time they were held accountable for their actions and made to be a part of the solution for a problem they created."

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Since the discovery of these substances in the environment, specifically the Cape Fear River and other aquatic sources, New Hanover County has worked with the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority to address PFAS contamination in the drinking water. CFPUA’s Sweeney Water Treatment Plant brought granular activated carbon filters online in October 2022 to remove PFAS from water supplied by the facility. The project cost more than $43 million to complete and requires approximately $5 million in operational maintenance costs each year.

DuPont sent the following statement to WRAL News on Tuesday:

"In 2019, DuPont de Nemours was established as a new multi-industrial specialty products company. DuPont de Nemours has never manufactured PFOA, PFOS or firefighting foam. While we don’t comment on litigation matters, we believe this complaint is without merit, and we look forward to vigorously defending our record of safety, health and environmental stewardship."

3M sent WRAL News the following statement:

"As the science and technology of PFAS, societal and regulatory expectations, and our expectations of ourselves have evolved, so has how we manage PFAS. We have and will continue to deliver on our commitments – including remediating PFAS where appropriate, investing in water treatment, and collaborating with communities. 3M will address PFAS litigation by defending itself in court or through negotiated resolutions, all as appropriate."