Maryland PIRG Applauds Baltimore City for Suing Toxic “Forever Chemical” Manufacturers

BALTIMORE — The City of Baltimore filed a lawsuit on Friday against 20 manufacturers of poly- and perfluoroalkyl (PFAS) “forever” chemicals used in a certain type of firefighting foam, known as aqueous film forming foam(AFFF). The lawsuit alleges that the companies “knowingly” allowed the city’s waterways and water systems to come into contact with highly toxic PFAS chemicals that pose a serious threat to public health and the environment.

Baltimore City joined Philadelphia who filed a similar lawsuit on the same day. More than 100 public entities have taken similar actions against the AFFF manufacturers.

In response, Maryland PIRG Director Emily Scarr released the following statement: 

“Holding polluting industries accountable for any damage their product causes is a bedrock principle of fairness, accountability and restitution. Maryland PIRG applauds Mayor Brandon Scott for suing the manufacturers of AFFF firefighting foams that contain toxic “forever chemicals.” These toxic chemicals have been used in certain fires for decades, putting our firefighters at increased risk of developing cancer and contaminating our water with dangerous PFAS chemicals.

“According to the Maryland Department of the Environment, the majority of Maryland’s water treatment plants are contaminated with PFAS, putting our children and families at risk of serious health effects including cancer, thyroid disruption and reduced vaccine response.

“Today I am hopeful that Baltimore City can do more to protect our health by holding the polluters accountable and leveraging the resources necessary to clean up the contamination in our water.”

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