A federal judge has ordered Chemours Chemical Company to immediately stop releasing PFAS “forever chemicals” from its Washington Works facility into the Ohio River, citing repeated violations of its pollution permit and threats to human health and the environment.
Caity Coyne reports for West Virginia Watch.
In short:
- U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin granted a preliminary injunction after finding Chemours had exceeded legal discharge limits at least 199 times under its state-issued permit.
- PFAS exposure has been linked to cancers, thyroid disease, reproductive harm, and ecosystem damage; the Ohio River provides drinking water for five million people.
- Chemours, which disputes the court’s findings, plans to appeal and had argued compliance could take more than two years.
Key quote:
“Incremental exposure, resulting in incremental harm, is irreparable harm. It need not be calculable.”
— U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin
Why this matters:
PFAS chemicals, once widely used in manufacturing for their water- and grease-resistant properties, can accumulate over time in drinking water sources, soils, and living organisms. Studies have linked long-term exposure to a range of health problems, including immune system suppression, developmental delays in children, certain cancers, and liver damage. When contamination occurs in major waterways like the Ohio River, it can affect millions across multiple states, complicating both water treatment and public health efforts. Stopping discharges is one of the few ways to prevent further accumulation in an already burdened ecosystem.
Read more: PFAS discharges from Chemours’ West Virginia plant persist despite federal oversight
