A Spokane Valley man has filed a class-action lawsuit against W.L. Gore & Associates, alleging the company falsely advertised its Gore-Tex products as environmentally friendly while continuing to use PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.”
Thomas Clouse reports for The Spokesman-Review.
In short:
- The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Spokane, accuses Gore-Tex of “greenwashing” by marketing its products as sustainable despite containing PFAS, chemicals linked to cancer and other health risks.
- Plaintiff Micah Mason claims he bought Gore-Tex snow pants in 2021 based on misleading advertising and would not have purchased them if he had known they contained harmful chemicals.
- The suit seeks damages for consumers who bought Gore-Tex products from 2018 to 2024 in multiple states.
Key quote:
“This means that hikers who are taking their outdoor apparel on the trails are inadvertently shedding PFAS material straight into the pristine environments they are appreciating and seeking to preserve.”
— Class-action complaint
Why this matters:
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are widely used in waterproof clothing, cookware and firefighting foam. These chemicals do not break down easily and have been found in drinking water, soil and even human blood. Studies link PFAS exposure to serious health issues, including cancer, liver damage and immune system harm. As consumers become more aware of their risks, legal action against companies using PFAS is increasing.
Related: Outdoor brands phase out PFAS, “forever chemicals,” ahead of state bans
