New York sues over PFAS ‘forever chemicals’

New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit in state court in Albany against a group of major chemical companies over their role in the sale and use of so‑called "forever chemicals." The complaint, dated July 9, 2026, names 3M (MMM), DuPont de Nemours (DD), The Chemours Company, Corteva (CTVA) and EIDP among the defendants. It alleges that these companies contributed to a public nuisance by manufacturing, marketing or selling per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a wide range of consumer products.

The filing claims the defendants knew or should have known about the environmental and health risks associated with PFAS but concealed or failed to disclose those dangers for decades. The state argues that this conduct left New York communities to bear the costs of monitoring, managing and remediating PFAS contamination. The case is brought in Albany, the state capital, underscoring its statewide scope.

At the core of the lawsuit is the allegation that PFAS contamination constitutes a public nuisance in New York. The complaint asserts that by continuing to manufacture, market or sell PFAS-containing products without adequate disclosure, the companies interfered with public rights, including access to clean water and a healthy environment. It further contends that the defendants failed to provide proper warnings about PFAS risks to consumers and public authorities.

The state’s legal theory centers on a long period during which PFAS products remained on the market despite emerging information about potential harms. The complaint states that some PFAS chemicals were phased out even as concerns mounted, yet the associated risks were not adequately communicated to the public. New York argues that this conduct shifted financial and health burdens from the companies to residents and governments.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are described in the lawsuit as chemicals that do not break down easily in the human body or the environment, which has led to the term "forever chemicals." They are cited as being present in hundreds of consumer and commercial products. In particular, the complaint highlights uses in cosmetics, non-stick cookware and stain-resistant clothing.

The lawsuit references scientific findings linking PFAS exposure to a range of adverse health effects. These include higher cholesterol levels, low birth weight, reduced antibody response to vaccines, and kidney and testicular cancer. By detailing these alleged health impacts, the filing seeks to underscore the seriousness of PFAS contamination for New York residents.

New York is seeking broad relief from the defendant companies. The attorney general is asking the court to order the firms to fund statewide cleanup efforts aimed at addressing PFAS contamination in the state. This includes measures to protect communities from ongoing exposure and to remediate affected sites.

In addition to cleanup funding, the lawsuit requests a requirement that the companies provide proper warnings to consumers about PFAS-related risks. The state also seeks damages, restitution and other penalties, arguing that financial compensation is necessary to address past and future costs. The outcome of the case could shape how PFAS-related liabilities are handled for these companies within New York.