In early February, Santa Clara County filed for legal action against over a dozen companies, including 3M — which sells products such as scotch tape, Post-its and other adhesives — and DuPont — which produces a broad array of building materials, pharmaceuticals and more. This took place shortly after the discovery of toxic chemicals in local water supplies. The county demanded remediation and further measures taken in regards to the protection of residents and the environment.
The formal filing of the lawsuit stems from the pervasive presence of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, near Santa Clara. PFAS are harmful chemicals that have been widespread in consumer products for decades. The county accused these organizations of alleged manufacturing and discarding these chemicals in critical water sources, prompting legal action due to the devastating environmental and public health crises that result from such practices.
PFAS are highly persistent and prone to accumulating in bodies of water over time. The Environmental Protection Agency has conducted studies to highlight such consequences, exposing the harmful impacts of PFAS on the human immune system and reproductive system, among other organs. Perhaps the most troublesome discovery of these studies is that PFA impacts are maternally passed down during pregnancy, thereby posing generational health defects. The lack of a clear solution compounds the issue, as PFAS cannot break down naturally and can resist most water treatment methods. Polluted mediums thus struggle for remedies, causing hope for a more environmentally stable future to diminish further if these conditions continue.
Besides direct health effects, contamination harms other broad aspects of community life, such as economical and societal welfare. Many county residents cannot imagine the additional burden of decreased property value and difficulty managing healthcare costs, both of which are direct consequences of the contamination. Santa Clara County sees growing support as public outcry regarding such widespread consequences further backs the lawsuit’s legitimacy.
According to the case, intended subsequent action includes trial by jury and attaining county relief in the form of recompensation and punitive damages. While neither concedes accountability, 3M and DuPont take the first steps towards resolution by agreeing to settlements of $12.5 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively. On a broad scale, this money will go towards countless county funds, with a specific focus on the testing and dilution of PFA contaminations. With California, one of many states that is actively implementing new regulations for chemicals — specifically the irreversible long-term use of PFAS — taking such a firm stance, the case promises potential for a more economically and environmentally stable future.
The legal action thereby signifies a stronger push for activism and accountability in order to improve strength and connection in both the community and the ecosystem. With the case continuously gaining public awareness, Santa Clara County hopes that policymakers will be forced to limit, or ideally cease, their PFAS usage. Ultimately, the lawsuit seeks meaningful justice and sets a critical precedent for broader environmental responsibility.
