One of the latest industry-driven legal battles involves the Cookware Sustainability Alliance, which includes major brands such as T-fal and All-Clad. The group has filed a lawsuit against the state of Minnesota after it enacted a ban on PFAS-containing cookware in January 2025. The alliance argues that nonstick coatings containing PFAS are FDA-approved and safe for consumer use. This case is expected to set a precedent for similar regulations emerging in other states.
Meanwhile, W.L. Gore & Associates, the manufacturer of Gore-Tex, is facing a class-action lawsuit filed by consumers who allege the company misled them regarding the presence of PFAS in its waterproof outdoor gear. The suit claims that Gore-Tex’s marketing falsely suggested its products were environmentally friendly, concealing the risks posed by PFAS exposure.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has also entered the PFAS litigation arena, filing a lawsuit against chemical giants 3M and DuPont in December 2024. The lawsuit alleges that these companies knowingly misrepresented the safety of their PFAS-containing products, such as Teflon and Scotchgard, and failed to disclose their harmful environmental and health effects.
In a related development, Georgia lawmakers have introduced House Bill 211, which seeks to shield carpet manufacturers and municipalities from PFAS-related lawsuits. The bill has faced backlash from environmental groups, as the carpet industry has been linked to widespread PFAS contamination in local water supplies.
PFAS contamination lawsuits extend beyond industry regulations. Chemours, a DuPont spinoff, is currently facing legal action over allegations that its Washington Works plant in West Virginia has been discharging high levels of PFAS into the Ohio River, threatening public health. This lawsuit is part of a broader push to hold industrial facilities accountable for PFAS pollution.
Additionally, Edgewell Personal Care, the manufacturer of Carefree menstrual pads, is being sued over claims that its products contain toxic PFAS chemicals without consumer disclosure. Filed in California, the lawsuit argues that PFAS in these products poses significant reproductive health risks to users.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) continues to face mounting legal challenges over PFAS contamination from firefighting foam used at military bases. As of September 2024, 27 states have filed lawsuits against the DoD, seeking financial support for groundwater and soil cleanup efforts. These lawsuits highlight the long-standing issue of PFAS pollution at military installations and surrounding communities.
In a recent settlement, Carrier Global agreed to pay $730 million to resolve claims that its fire protection subsidiary, Kidde-Fenwal, contaminated water sources with PFAS.
As 2025 progresses, PFAS-related lawsuits are expected to grow in scope, with state governments, consumers, and environmental organizations pushing for greater corporate accountability and regulatory action. Legal experts predict that the outcomes of these cases will shape future PFAS regulations, cleanup efforts, and industry practices in the U.S.
With scientific studies linking PFAS exposure to serious health risks, including cancer, liver damage, and developmental issues, the battle over PFAS is far from over. Whether through litigation, settlements, or stricter regulations, companies and government entities will likely face continued scrutiny in the years ahead.
