'Forever chemicals' bill seeking to hold users liable debated in Georgia House committee

By Dave Williams | The Augusta Chronicle | March 4, 2025

Read the full article by Dave Williams (The Augusta Chronicle)

"Representatives of Georgia manufacturers asked state lawmakers Tuesday to pass legislation shielding them from lawsuits brought by victims of contamination from "forever chemicals" - known as PFAS - in their water.

But lawyers representing those victims told members of the House Judiciary Committee companies including carpet and textile manufacturers knew the wastewater they were dumping was polluted and should be held responsible.

House Bill 211 would shield from legal liability companies that have used PFAS chemicals, typically to make fabric stain resistant and fire retardant, while holding companies that produce the chemicals, including DuPont and 3M, responsible for polluting rivers and streams with cancer-causing pollutants."