Attorney General Ken Paxton Sues 3M And DuPont Over Toxic Chemicals

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a major lawsuit against chemical giants 3M and DuPont, accusing them of misleading the public about the safety of household products containing dangerous PFAS chemicals, often referred to as “forever chemicals.”

PFAS chemicals, used in products like Teflon, Stainmaster and Scotchgard, are highly persistent in the environment and in human and animal bodies. These chemicals have been linked to serious health conditions, including cancer and thyroid disease, as well as widespread contamination of drinking water, plants and animals.

According to the lawsuit, 3M and DuPont were aware of these risks for decades but continued to market their products as safe for families. “Defendants marketed products containing harmful PFAS chemicals for over 70 years and were aware of the harmful effects of PFAS chemicals for over 50 years,” the filing states. “Despite this knowledge, Defendants continued to market PFAS products in Texas and elsewhere as safe for consumer use, misrepresent their environmental and biological risks, and conceal risks of harm from the public.”

“These companies knew for decades that PFAS chemicals could cause serious harm to human health yet continued to advertise them as safe for household use around families and children,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Texas is taking action to penalize these companies and hold them accountable for deceiving Texans into buying consumer products without vital information.”

This lawsuit represents the latest in Paxton’s efforts to combat the harmful effects of “forever chemicals.” Texas previously sued companies responsible for PFAS-containing Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), which damaged Texas lands and waters. The new case marks a significant escalation in the fight against PFAS pollution.

The Lanier Law Firm and Kelley Drye & Warren LLP will serve as outside counsel for the case.