State Claims Company Concealed PFAS Health Risks While Polluting Local Communities
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown filed a federal lawsuit against W.L. Gore & Associates on December 27, 2024, alleging the Gore-Tex manufacturer knowingly contaminated northeastern Maryland’s air and water with dangerous PFAS chemicals. The legal action targets 13 facilities near the Delaware border, where company operations exposed residents to cancer-causing forever chemicals. The state’s complaint asserts Gore withheld critical health risk information from the public while contaminating drinking water above EPA safety thresholds.
5 Key Points
- The December 27 lawsuit demands Gore pay for state investigation and cleanup costs.
- EPA tests found that PFAS levels in local drinking water exceed current safety limits.
- Cecil County residents filed a class action lawsuit in 2023 seeking compensation.
- Gore eliminated perfluorooctanoic acid from Gore-Tex production in 2014.
- Internal documents reveal that Gore had known about chemical dangers since 1961.
State Action Targets Decades of Contamination
Maryland Attorney General Brown’s federal complaint details how Gore’s 13 facilities in northeastern Maryland released PFAS into local air and water supplies since the company’s founding. “PFAS are linked to cancer, weakened immune systems, and can even harm the ability to bear children,” Brown stated in his December 27 announcement. The lawsuit alleges Gore executives chose corporate profits over public safety, creating what Brown called “a toxic legacy for generations to come.” EPA testing in December 2024 found perfluorooctanoic acid levels in residential drinking water near Gore facilities exceeded federal safety standards, with private well owners reporting the highest contamination rates.
Corporate History Reveals Pattern of Concealment
Internal documents cited in Maryland’s complaint show Gore learned of PFAS risks in 1961 when DuPont scientists discovered adverse liver reactions in laboratory animals. Wilbert Gore left DuPont in 1958 to found his own company, developing Gore-Tex by modifying Teflon into a waterproof membrane with billions of microscopic pores. While this innovation drove Gore’s growth to 13,000 employees, the state alleges the company hid known chemical dangers. DuPont faced similar accusations, leading to a $1.18 billion settlement in 2023 over PFAS contamination of U.S. drinking water systems.
Rural Community Bears Health and Economic Burden
Cecil County resident Philip Federico received a kidney cancer diagnosis in December 2024, joining other locals who filed a 2023 class action lawsuit demanding compensation for water filtration systems and medical expenses. “It’s typical corporate environmental contamination,” Federico’s attorney stated. “They’re in no hurry to fix the problem.” EPA research links PFAS exposure to increased cholesterol, reproductive problems, and childhood developmental delays. The chemicals resist environmental breakdown and accumulate in human tissue, leading to long-term health risks for exposed communities.
Company Claims Proactive Response
Gore spokesperson Donna Leinwand Leger defended the company’s recent actions in a December 27 statement. “We have worked with Maryland, employing the most current, reliable science and technology to assess potential impacts,” Leger said, citing Gore’s December 18 groundwater testing report. The company provided bottled water and filtration systems to residents near contaminated facilities. Maryland Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain rejected these measures as insufficient: “We must remove these forever chemicals from our natural resources urgently, and we expect responsible parties to pay for this remediation.”
FAQ
Q: Can I file a lawsuit if I was exposed to PFAS or other forever chemicals?
A: If you or a loved one suffered health issues from exposure to PFAS or other forever chemicals, you may be eligible for legal action. Contact our legal experts to learn about your rights and start a free, confidential case review.
Q: What health risks are associated with PFAS exposure from Gore-Tex facilities?
A: According to the EPA, PFAS exposure can cause cancer, weakened immune systems, increased cholesterol levels, reproductive health issues, developmental delays in children, and fertility problems. Maryland residents near Gore facilities have reported health issues, including recent cases of kidney cancer.
Q: How did Gore-Tex contaminate Maryland’s environment?
A: W.L. Gore & Associates operated 13 facilities in northeastern Maryland that released PFAS chemicals into local air and water supplies. The contamination mainly affects groundwater and private wells in the largely rural Cecil County area near the Delaware border.
Q: What is Gore doing to address the contamination?
A: Over the past two years, Gore has hired an environmental consulting firm for testing, provided bottled water and filtration systems to residents near certain facilities, and released a groundwater testing report in December 2024. However, state officials maintain these efforts are insufficient.
Q: How long has Gore known about PFAS dangers?
A: The lawsuit alleges Gore knew about PFAS health risks since at least 1961 when DuPont scientists discovered adverse liver reactions in laboratory animals. Despite this knowledge, the company continued using these chemicals until 2014, when it eliminated perfluorooctanoic acid from Gore-Tex production.
Q: What compensation can affected residents seek?
A: Cecil County residents filed a class action lawsuit in 2023 seeking compensation for water filtration systems, medical bills, and other damages related to PFAS pollution. Additionally, Maryland’s lawsuit aims to make Gore pay for state investigation and cleanup costs.
Q: Why are PFAS called “forever chemicals”?
A: PFAS are called “forever chemicals” because they are nearly indestructible and can accumulate in various environments, including the human body, without breaking down. This persistence means they continue causing environmental and health impacts long after their release.
Q: Can residents still drink their well water if they live near Gore facilities?
A: Recent drinking water testing near Gore facilities showed perfluorooctanoic acid levels exceeding EPA safety standards. Residents with private wells have found high levels of dangerous chemicals, suggesting well water may be unsafe without proper filtration.
Citations
Lea Skene (December 27, 2024). Maryland sues maker of Gore-Tex over pollution from toxic ‘forever chemicals’. Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/maryland-gore-tex-forever-chemicals-lawsuit-d7bd8596627ce57435adca7e166bbcbd
