A U.S. District Judge in Hartford, Connecticut, has allowed a lawsuit filed by Connecticut firefighters to proceed against a coalition of more than 20 defendants, among them chemical giants 3M, DuPont and Honeywell. The plaintiffs allege that the “turnout gear” firefighters wear – designed to protect them from extreme heat and flames – is contaminated with per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the so‑called “forever chemicals” that can linger in the human body and the environment.
Legal standing and claims
Representing 13 firefighter union organizations and 12 individual firefighters, plaintiffs argued that the gear leached PFAS through skin absorption, ingestion and inhalation, increasing the risk of cancer and other serious illnesses. Judge Alvin Thompson found that the unions have “organizational” standing to seek damages, and that individual firefighters may pursue compensation and medical monitoring even if they have not yet shown outward symptoms of disease.
The judge also concluded that the plaintiffs sufficiently alleged that 3M, one of the world’s largest PFAS manufacturers, owed a duty to warn about the hazards and had acted negligently. The complaint identifies 3M’s Scotchlite reflective material, DuPont’s Kevlar fibers and Honeywell‑manufactured turnout gear as the specific sources of PFAS exposure.
Defendants’ response
In seeking dismissal, 3M argued that there is no plausible claim linking its Scotchlite material to the firefighters’ gear, while other defendants contended that the lawsuit fails to allege that the gear failed to perform its primary safety function. Lawyers for the defendants have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Background on PFAS and prior settlements
PFAS are used in hundreds of consumer and commercial products, from cosmetics and non‑stick cookware to stain‑resistant clothing. They are termed “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the human body or the environment. Research has linked PFAS exposure to higher cholesterol, low birth weight, reduced antibody response to vaccines, and an elevated risk of certain cancers.
In 2023, DuPont, 3M and two other companies settled more than $11 billion in claims related to firefighting foam and other PFAS‑containing products that polluted drinking water. While those settlements resolved water‑contamination claims, none of the companies admitted wrongdoing.
Significance for firefighters
Jennifer Sclar, attorney for the plaintiffs, said the ruling is significant because it affirms that prolonged exposure to PFAS from turnout gear can establish legal standing. If the case proceeds, firefighters could receive compensation for health monitoring, medical expenses and potential future illnesses linked to PFAS exposure.
The lawsuit was originally filed in June 2024 and represents the first class‑action suit to focus exclusively on firefighter protective equipment containing PFAS.
What’s next?
The case will move forward to discovery, where both sides will exchange evidence about the presence of PFAS in the gear and the manufacturers’ knowledge of the risks. The outcome could set a precedent for other first‑responders across the United States who use similar equipment.
Connecticut’s firefighters, many of whom are parents and community leaders, have long advocated for safer gear and greater transparency from manufacturers. This legal development aligns with broader efforts to protect the health of those who put their lives on the line for public safety.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
