Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF) Products Liability Litigation

This massive and complex multidistrict litigation (MDL) targets chemical manufacturers like 3M and DuPont over the contamination of water sources with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called "forever chemicals." The primary product at issue is Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), a highly effective fire suppressant used for decades at airports and military bases.

The lawsuits, brought by water municipalities, state attorneys general, and individuals, allege that these companies knew for decades that PFAS chemicals were toxic, persistent in the environment, and could accumulate in human blood, yet they continued to produce and sell them without adequate warnings. The health risks associated with PFAS exposure cited in the litigation include kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, and other serious conditions. The litigation seeks to recover the colossal costs of cleaning up contaminated water supplies and to compensate individuals for health problems linked to exposure.