King County files federal lawsuit against PFAS manufacturers for damage caused by toxic ‘forever chemicals’

King County | June 2, 2023

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"Executive Dow Constantine today announced that King County filed a federal lawsuit against past and current PFAS manufacturers and companies that use the toxic chemicals in a wide range of products, with a focus on the use of PFAS in firefighting foam.

King County’s lawsuit seeks to hold manufacturers accountable for the costs, expenses, and impacts caused by contamination. The County’s complaint maintains that manufacturers – not the public – should pay for investigating, sampling, testing, and assessing the contamination, as well as the costs to install and maintain treatment systems and the cleanup of PFAS contamination in King County.

"Manufacturers that knowingly put toxic chemicals in products that threaten the health of our people and environment are responsible for the harm they have caused,” said Executive Constantine. “This is the latest chapter in a long history of chemical companies profiting from dangerous products while local communities pay for the harmful impacts. We’ve successfully held manufacturers responsible before, and we’ll do so again.”