Mohawk Industries Claims Deception While Multiple Cities Face Water Contamination
Dalton, Georgia’s carpet manufacturing industry, faces unprecedented scrutiny as Mohawk Industries pursues legal action against 3M, claiming the chemical giant concealed information about harmful PFAS chemicals. The city of Dalton escalated the crisis on December 10 by filing its own federal lawsuit against Shaw Industries over PFAS contamination in municipal sewage systems. Environmental activist Erin Brockovich has joined local efforts to address what she describes as major contamination affecting multiple North Georgia communities. The situation has already triggered over $100 million in water treatment settlements.
5 Key Points
- Mohawk Industries alleges 3M deliberately concealed PFAS risks while selling treatment products for carpet manufacturing.
- The City of Dalton filed a federal lawsuit against Shaw Industries on December 10, 2024, over sewage system contamination.
- Georgia Environmental Protection Division identified 17 water utilities exceeding federal PFAS standards.
- Environmental testing revealed PFAS levels hundreds of times above EPA limits in North Georgia waterways.
- Emory University launched a blood testing study for Rome residents exposed to PFAS.
Mohawk’s Lawsuit Reveals Years of Alleged Chemical Deception
Mohawk Industries, headquartered in Dalton, Georgia, filed a lawsuit against 3M and other chemical manufacturers, claiming deliberate deception about PFAS chemical risks. The carpet giant alleges these companies “concealed and misrepresented material information” about environmental and health hazards while selling treatment products used in carpet manufacturing. In court documents, Mohawk acknowledged its industrial wastewater containing PFAS-contaminated local rivers serving as drinking water sources. The company has already paid over $100 million to settle water lawsuits and to fund water treatment facilities in affected communities. 3M has requested additional time to respond to the lawsuit’s claims through the Whitfield County Superior Court Clerk’s office.
City of Dalton Takes Legal Action Against Second Carpet Manufacturer
On December 10, 2024, the city of Dalton filed a federal lawsuit against Shaw Industries in the U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia in Rome. The lawsuit accuses Shaw Industries, one of the city’s largest employers, of contaminating municipal sewage systems with PFAS chemicals. These “forever chemicals,” as designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, have been linked to multiple forms of cancer, decreased fertility, and low birth weight. The EPA established new drinking water limits for PFAS at 4 parts per trillion in April 2024.
Independent Testing Reveals Widespread Contamination
Attorney Ben Finley’s law firm conducted tests of public waterways in North Georgia earlier in 2024, discovering PFAS levels hundreds of times higher than EPA limits. The testing covered bodies of water in Dalton and multiple cities south of the Conasauga River, including Calhoun, Chatsworth, and Varnell. Property owner Mary Hehir, 72, learned her Murray County land contained PFAS levels four times higher than the EPA’s drinking water limit in a stream on her property. “If people found out that this was contaminated, I think that my property value would plunge if I could ever sell it,” Hehir said. “And all good faith, I couldn’t rent it to somebody knowing that they could get sick or their kids could get sick.”
Environmental Activist Erin Brockovich Joins Local Response
Environmental advocate Erin Brockovich addressed a packed town hall in Chatsworth, Georgia, this past September, declaring, “You have a PFAS contamination, and it’s a big one.” Brockovich has partnered with attorneys organizing town halls to raise awareness about alleged water and land contamination in North Georgia. Attorney Ben Finley plans to file a lawsuit representing residents and businesses. “What we really want to do is create awareness and education,” Finley said. “And all of those businesses, property owners, landowners, individuals may have either a claim or need to know the damages that they have received.”
Health Studies Launch as Concerns Grow
Emory University researchers will begin an exposure study testing hundreds of Rome residents for PFAS contamination. The study follows an Atlanta News First investigation that identified elevated toxin levels in residents’ blood samples last year. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division reported in October that at least 17 water utilities across the state exceeded federal drinking water standards. Brockovich emphasized the importance of blood testing, stating, “Those are the kinds of tests that absolutely has to happen and it’s your early reporting that gets that type of thing started.”
FAQ
Q: Can I file a lawsuit if I was harmed by contaminated water?
A: Legal options may be available if you or a loved one suffered health issues due to contaminated water. Contact our legal experts to learn about your rights and start a free, confidential case review.
Q: What are PFAS chemicals, and why are they dangerous?
A: PFAS chemicals are compounds used to make water—and stain-resistant products, including carpets. According to the EPA, these “forever chemicals” are linked to multiple forms of cancer, decreased fertility, and low birth weight. The EPA has set drinking water limits at 4 parts per trillion.
Q: How widespread is the PFAS contamination in Georgia?
A: The Georgia Environmental Protection Division reported in October 2024 that at least 17 water utilities across the state exceeded federal drinking water standards. Independent testing found PFAS levels hundreds of times higher than EPA limits in public waterways across North Georgia, including Dalton, Calhoun, Chatsworth, and Varnell.
Q: What legal action is being taken about the PFAS contamination?
A: Two major lawsuits are pending: Mohawk Industries is suing 3M and other chemical manufacturers for allegedly concealing PFAS risks, and the city of Dalton filed a federal lawsuit against Shaw Industries on December 10, 2024, over sewage system contamination. Additionally, attorney Ben Finley plans to file a lawsuit for residents and businesses.
Q: How much has this contamination cost so far?
A: Mohawk Industries has already paid over $100 million to settle water lawsuits, with the money going toward constructing water treatment facilities in affected communities. The entire economic impact, including property value decreases and health-related costs, is still being determined.
Q: How can property owners determine if their land is contaminated?
A: Property owners can have their land tested for PFAS contamination, as demonstrated by Mary Hehir’s case in Murray County. Testing revealed PFAS levels four times higher than the EPA’s drinking water limit in a stream on her property. Residents should contact environmental testing firms or join ongoing legal efforts for testing assistance.
Citations
Pierrotti, Andy (December 10, 2024). Erin Brockovich: ‘You have a PFAS contamination and it’s a big one’. Atlanta News First. https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2024/12/10/erin-brockovich-you-have-pfas-contamination-its-big-one/
