In a landmark move, the U.S. government claims immunity against lawsuits over toxic firefighting foam contamination.
Zoya Teirstein reports for Grist.
In short:
- The U.S. Department of Justice seeks to dismiss 27 lawsuits related to military use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam, arguing governmental immunity.
- PFAS, chemicals linked to serious health issues, have contaminated drinking water and soil across the U.S. due to their use in military and civilian firefighting activities.
- Despite growing health concerns and environmental damage, the Department of Defense emphasizes PFAS's critical role in national security, complicating cleanup efforts.
Key quote:
"... I don't think anyone, except maybe the manufacturers of PFAS, had much of an inkling it was so harmful."
— Carl Tobias, professor at the University of Richmond School of Law
Why this matters:
PFAS poses a vast public health and environmental challenge, with implications for water safety, military accountability, and the ongoing struggle to balance national security needs with environmental and health protection.
