What Are PFAS and How Did They Enter the Water Supply
PFAS are a family of thousands of man-made chemicals used since the 1940s in products ranging from non-stick cookware and food packaging to firefighting foam (AFFF) and industrial coatings. PFOA and PFOS are two of the most studied and most dangerous compounds in the PFAS family.
These chemicals entered water supplies through industrial discharge, the use of AFFF at military bases and airports, and contaminated runoff from manufacturing facilities. Because PFAS do not biodegrade, they accumulate in soil, groundwater, and eventually municipal water systems. Communities near military installations, chemical plants, and airports have been disproportionately affected, often without knowing their water was contaminated for years or even decades.
Laboratory analysis of forever chemicals in water supply
Health Effects of PFAS Exposure
The scientific evidence linking PFAS exposure to serious health conditions has grown substantially over the past two decades. The most significant health risks associated with PFOA and PFOS include kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, high cholesterol, and pregnancy-related complications including preeclampsia.
PFAS chemicals accumulate in the human body over time, meaning that even low-level exposure through contaminated drinking water can result in elevated blood serum levels. Children and developing fetuses are particularly vulnerable. The EPA has acknowledged that there is no safe level of PFAS exposure, and in 2024 established the first enforceable federal limits on PFAS in drinking water.
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Holding Polluters Accountable Through Litigation
PFAS litigation has expanded rapidly, with lawsuits targeting major manufacturers including 3M, DuPont, and Chemours, as well as municipal water suppliers and the Department of Defense. Multidistrict litigation in the District of South Carolina has consolidated many of these claims, while individual lawsuits and class actions continue to be filed nationwide.
Babin Law helps individuals who have been diagnosed with PFAS-related health conditions pursue compensation against the companies responsible for contaminating their water. We also represent communities seeking remediation and accountability. If you live in an area with known PFAS contamination and have been diagnosed with cancer, thyroid disease, or other associated conditions, contact us for a free case evaluation.
What to Do If Your Drinking Water Is Contaminated with PFAS
If you live in an area with known PFOA/PFOS water contamination and have been diagnosed with a related health condition, taking these steps can help you pursue accountability and compensation.
Check Whether Your Water Supply Is Affected
Visit the EPA's PFAS contamination map or contact your local water utility to determine whether PFOA or PFOS have been detected in your drinking water. Many states also maintain public databases of contaminated water systems. Communities near military bases, airports, and industrial facilities are at highest risk.
Get Your Blood Tested for PFAS Levels
Ask your doctor to order a PFAS blood serum test. Elevated levels of PFOA or PFOS in your blood can help establish that you were exposed to contaminated water. While most people have some detectable PFAS, significantly elevated levels support a stronger claim.
Gather Your Medical Records
Obtain complete medical records for any health conditions potentially linked to PFAS exposure, including kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, high cholesterol, or pregnancy complications. A clear medical timeline helps establish the connection between exposure and diagnosis.
Document Your Residential History
Compile a record of where you have lived and for how long, particularly in areas with known PFAS contamination. Utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage records, and tax returns can all establish your residential history and the duration of your exposure.
Contact Babin Law for a Free Case Evaluation
Our attorneys understand the complex science behind PFAS litigation and can evaluate your exposure history and health conditions at no cost. We represent both individual claimants and communities affected by forever chemical contamination.
What Is Your PFAS Water Contamination Case Worth?
PFAS water contamination case values depend on the severity of your health condition, the duration of your exposure, and the strength of the evidence linking your water supply to specific polluters.
Type and Severity of Health Condition
Cancer diagnoses — particularly kidney cancer and testicular cancer — generally carry the highest case values due to the severity of the disease and the costs of treatment. Other conditions such as thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, and pregnancy complications also support substantial claims.
Duration of Exposure to Contaminated Water
Individuals who consumed contaminated water for many years face higher cumulative PFAS exposure, which strengthens the causal connection to health conditions. Documented long-term residence in an affected area is a significant factor in case valuation.
Blood Serum PFAS Levels
Elevated PFOA or PFOS levels in your blood provide direct biological evidence of exposure. Higher serum levels generally correlate with more serious health risks and stronger claims, as they demonstrate that the chemicals accumulated in your body over time.
Medical Treatment Costs
All costs associated with diagnosing and treating PFAS-related health conditions are recoverable, including cancer treatment, surgery, chemotherapy, thyroid medication, monitoring, and ongoing specialist care. Future anticipated treatment costs are also factored into claim value.
Identifiable Source of Contamination
Cases where the contamination can be traced to a specific manufacturer, military installation, or industrial polluter are more valuable because liability is clearer. Multi-defendant cases involving companies like 3M, DuPont, and Chemours have produced significant settlements.
PFAS litigation is expanding rapidly in both federal MDL proceedings and state courts. The EPA's 2024 establishment of enforceable PFAS limits in drinking water has strengthened plaintiffs' positions significantly.
Contact Babin Law for a free PFAS contamination case evaluation. We can help you determine whether your health conditions may be linked to contaminated drinking water and what compensation you may be entitled to pursue.
Frequently Asked Questions About PFOA & PFOS Water
Get answers to the questions our Columbus attorneys hear most from clients in pfoa & pfos water cases.
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