Full Breakdown
New York Sues Major Chemical Makers Over PFAS “Forever Chemicals”
7/10/2026, 3:04:26 PM
The Lawsuit and Allegations
On July 9, 2026, New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a state-court action in Albany against 3M, DuPont de Nemours, The Chemours Company, Corteva, and EIDP (a former DuPont spinoff). The complaint accuses the firms of creating a public nuisance by manufacturing and selling products containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) while knowingly concealing the chemicals’ health and environmental risks for decades. James seeks court orders that compel the defendants to fund statewide cleanup, provide stronger consumer warnings, and pay damages, restitution, and civil fines.
Background & Prior Settlements
PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” are used in cosmetics, non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, firefighting foam, and other consumer goods because they resist degradation. Scientific studies have linked PFAS exposure to higher cholesterol, low birth weight, reduced vaccine antibody response, kidney and testicular cancers, and developmental delays in children. In May 2025, 3M agreed to a 25-year, $450 million settlement with New Jersey over drinking-water contamination. Earlier, Chemours settled with the U.S. government for $450 million to resolve PFAS pollution claims in New Jersey, North Carolina, and West Virginia. In 2025, DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva collectively agreed to pay up to $2 billion to settle New Jersey environmental claims.
Key Figures & Companies
- Letitia James – New York Attorney General, lead plaintiff.
- 3M – Manufacturer of PFAS-containing stain-resistant products.
- DuPont de Nemours – Former parent of Chemours and Corteva, producer of PFAS chemicals.
- The Chemours Company – DuPont spinoff specializing in fluorochemicals.
- Corteva – Agricultural-chemical spinoff of DuPont.
- EIDP – Entity linked to former DuPont operations.
Data & Statistics
- PFAS are present in hundreds of consumer and commercial items.
- Health associations include higher cholesterol, low birth weight, reduced vaccine response, kidney and testicular cancer, and developmental disorders.
- Recent settlements: $450 million (3M-NJ), $450 million (Chemours-U.S. government), up to $2 billion (DuPont/Chemours/Corteva-NJ).
Official Statements & Responses
Attorney General James emphasized the long-standing burden on New York communities and her intent to hold polluters accountable. The defendants have not responded to requests for comment, and the lawsuit remains pending in Albany state court.
Criticism & Opposition
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson denounced a separate PFAS accord reached with the Trump administration as a “backroom deal” that does “virtually nothing” for their residents. In May 2026, the EPA announced a rollback of drinking-water PFAS limits that had been instituted by the Biden administration in 2024, prompting further criticism from state officials.
Verbatim Quotes
- “For far too long, our communities have unfairly shouldered the costs of protecting people from these toxic forever chemicals and cleaning up their contamination,” — Letitia James, New York Attorney General
- “I look forward to ensuring the companies responsible for PFAS pollution are held accountable.” — Letitia James
- “Big companies like 3M and DuPont knowingly sold toxic products that threatened New Yorkers’ health and polluted our environment for decades. It’s time for them to pay for the damage they caused,” — Letitia James
- “backroom deal” that does “virtually nothing”. — Josh Stein, Governor of North Carolina
Why It Matters
The lawsuit seeks to shift the financial burden of PFAS remediation from taxpayers to the corporations that produced the chemicals. Successful enforcement could set a precedent for other states to pursue similar actions, potentially accelerating nationwide efforts to limit PFAS use, improve consumer warnings, and fund environmental cleanup.
