Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has not commented on whether he will join lawsuits against fire gear manufacturers for PFAS contamination.
Kellen McGovern Jones reports for The Dallas Express.
In short:
- Fire gear containing PFAS may have contributed to high cancer rates among firefighters.
- Other states have sued manufacturers, but Texas AG Paxton remains silent.
- Diane Cotter’s campaign revealed significant PFAS presence in fire gear, sparking legal action.
Key quote:
“[The manufacturers] could say there is no [PFAS] on the gear, or if it was there … it was there in trace amounts. What they didn’t say was, ‘But it’s forming.’”
— Diane Cotter, PFAS campaigner
Why this matters:
Known as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment and human body, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been linked to a range of health issues, including cancer and hormone disruption. Across the country, a growing number of states and municipalities are taking legal action against manufacturers, arguing that these companies failed to warn about the risks associated with their products. Firefighters, who are particularly at risk due to the protective gear they use, have been vocal advocates for stricter regulations and accountability.
