Corporations Accused of PFAS Contamination
Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a collection of fluorinated chemicals used in different types of industrial and consumer products. Regulation of these substances is inconsistent, and PFAS contamination may be even more widespread than we realize. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) released a report alleging that major companies have known about the damaging effects of PFAS chemicals for decades and kept the information to themselves.
The EWG report uses internal documents from 3M and DuPont to create a timeline for their discoveries of the dangers of PFAS chemicals. As early as the 1950s, these documents show that the companies knew of the potential for PFAS to build up in the bloodstream. In the 1980s, they discovered a link between PFAS and cancer, as well as high rates of cancer among their own employees. It was not until 1998, however, that the companies alerted federal and state agencies to the dangers of PFAS, and regulators have been slow to catch up on managing the risk.
PFAS Not Regulated by Government Agencies
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cracked down on two of the most common PFAS contaminants: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), but there are many more chemicals that fall into this category. PFAS have not been classified as hazardous substances, so companies can continue releasing them into the air and water with impunity. An estimated 500 industrial sites across the country are releasing toxic PFAS chemicals, and there are currently no regulations requiring them to stop these activities. Firefighting foams continue to be manufactured with PFAS, which can contaminate water supplies when it runs off.
More than 700 communities in 49 states have documented PFAS contamination issues, and experts believe there may be many more. According to unreleased federal documents, approximately 110 million people in the U.S. have contaminated drinking water, and water utilities are not required to test or treat water for PFAS. Food supplies are also affected by PFAS.
DuPont has faced public criticism over its use of PFAS, particularly when it was revealed that Teflon contained PFAS. Chemours, a subsidiary that took over all their activities involving PFAS, sued DuPont alleging that the corporation did not notify them of the dangers associated with PFAS. DuPont has stopped using PFOA, PFOS, and another PFAS chemical called GenX, and they have pledged to stop using other long-chain PFAS by the end of 2019. They have also committed to support remediation efforts, including sharing their proprietary water treatment technologies.
Delaware Environmental Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Fight for the Rights of Toxic Exposure Victims
PFAS contamination can be toxic to internal organs and lead to cancer development. If you have suffered from injury or illness linked to PFAS chemicals, call the Delaware environmental lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Our legal team has the knowledge and experience to hold those responsible for your suffering accountable for their negligence. With offices conveniently located in Wilmington and Georgetown, Delaware, we help victims of toxic exposure throughout the state, including Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County. Call us today at 302-656-5445 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Lead Crisis in Newark, New Jersey
New Jersey’s largest city is facing a water crisis as lead from antiquated sewer pipes is still being detected in drinking water supplies despite the distribution of 40,000 water filters to city residents last year. The city is calling on President Trump and the Environmental Protection Agency to help fund new sewer infrastructure to replace the current system of lead pipes.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka are enlisting the help of New Jersey legislators in writing to federal and state government officials for funds to replace the sewer system throughout the city. In the meantime, Newark residents are getting free bottled water for eating and drinking.
Attempts to Remediate the Contaminated Water Problem
Water filters given to residents last year were expected to remove 99 percent of lead from home water supplies. Recent tests taken by the EPA revealed that the lead content in a random sampling of homes still contained lead levels more than 15 parts per billion, which exceeded the federal and state standards for safe drinking water.
An estimated 15,000 residential properties were affected by the contaminated water, which means the city must now supply these homes with bottled water until the problem can be remedied. Long lines at distribution centers and problems with transportation were complicating the process for Newark residents. Newark’s poverty rate is 28 percent compared to the national poverty rate of 12.3 percent. Finding transportation to distribution centers is difficult for a large majority of people in the city, which means some residents are still dependent on contaminated water supplies.
Residents claimed they had to wait two hours in line for a case of bottled water at a senior facility distribution center. Many elderly residents in poor health have a great deal of difficulty traveling to these areas and then carrying the case of water weighing up to 30 pounds back to their home.
Health Concerns Related to Lead Exposure
The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claims that there are no safe levels of lead exposure. Infants, young children, and pregnant women are most susceptible to suffering health complications from lead exposure that can come from contaminated drinking water, ingestion, and through inhalation of lead particles. Once lead enters the body, it is stored in the bones and tissues of the body where it continues to infiltrate through the blood and skeletal systems.
Health concerns related to lead exposure include:
- Delayed puberty
- Attentional disorders
- Hearing and vision problems
- Neurological impairment
- Cognitive deficits
- Delayed growth in children
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
- Nerve disorders and tremors
- Kidney disease
- Fertility problems
- Reduced fetal growth during pregnancy
Symptoms of lead poisoning in the body vary, but most commonly include:
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Aggressive behavior
- Constipation
- Sleep disturbances
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- High blood pressure
- Memory loss
Newark’s University Hospital is offering free blood tests to city residents to determine the level of lead in their body.
Delaware Environmental Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Represent Victims of Lead Exposure
If you believe you have been exposed to lead, call the Delaware environmental lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. today. Call us at 302-656-5445 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Wilmington and Georgetown, Delaware, we serve clients throughout Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
PFAS Found in Contaminated Wells
Recent tests on local wells near Dover Air Force Base revealed the problem of tainted wells adjacent to the base may be more widespread than once thought. Since 2015, the base has been testing nearby wells for contamination of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). One tainted well was identified in 2016. After base officials encouraged further testing, four new wells showed PFAS levels that exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency standard of 70 parts per trillion. In fact, the Delaware wells showed the fourth highest levels of PFAS toxic chemicals for all United States military sites across the country. PFAS manmade chemicals have been linked to a host of adverse health problems, including cancer. The discovery of these contaminated wells raises questions about how to protect residents accessing these wells and if it makes sense to continue with additional testing.
What are PFAS?
PFAS are manmade chemicals manufactured and are used in a variety of ways since the 1940s. While two of the more widely used chemicals in the PFAS group are no longer manufactured in the United States, they are still imported into this country in everyday consumer goods, including clothing, packaging, paper, and plastics. In Dover, residents accessing the contaminated wells are exposed to PFAS in their drinking water.
Chemicals included under the PFAS umbrella have been linked to:
- Cancer
- High cholesterol
- Low infant birth weights
- Reproductive problems
- Suppressed immune system
- Thyroid hormone disruption
In Delaware, experts believe the use of a certain type of firefighter foam is to blame for excessive PFAS levels in the contaminated wells.
Safe Water Options for PFAS Sites
Until a more permanent solution is available, the state Division of Public Health is advising impacted businesses and residents to use bottled water. In addition to providing this bottled water, the Air Force is considering long-term solutions, such as home filtration systems, connecting affected buildings to the city’s water supply, and possibly constructing new, deeper wells at these sites.
Some Delaware legislators say the Department of Defense is not doing enough to address the threat of PFAS to area residents. One top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is calling for PFAS to be classified as hazardous substances subject to federal environment protection laws. Taking this step would require a more comprehensive cleanup effort from the Department of Defense. More Delaware residents may soon be asking questions about PFAS contamination as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced plans to conduct testing around New Castle Air National Guard Base into 2020.
Georgetown Toxic Tort Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Represent Clients Exposed to Hazardous Chemicals
If you believe your illness was caused by your exposure to PFAS or other hazardous chemicals, contact a skilled Georgetown toxic tort lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Toxic exposure can lead to lifelong health problems. Let us seek the compensation you deserve for your illness. Call 302-656-5445 or complete the convenient online contact form to schedule a free consultation today. Located in Georgetown and Wilmington, Delaware, we proudly represent clients throughout the state, including Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
Delaware Waters Tested for Fecal Bacteria
Lewes, Broadkill, and Slaughter beaches are under water advisory, according to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). Researchers from the department’s Recreational Water Program have reported high levels of fecal bacteria. The Delaware beaches will remain under advisory until tests confirm that bacterial levels have returned to normal.
What Tests Reveal
Each week and after heavy rains, researchers from the Recreational Water Program take samples of water near swimming beaches to test for enterococcus and other potential sources of pollution. DNREC employees collect water samples, which are then cultured in a laboratory and tested for the presence of bacteria. They then estimate the concentration of the bacteria to determine whether it is over the federally mandated safe limit for beachgoers.
The current testing tool has been used for over 75 years and although the turnaround time for results is not immediate, it provides relatively quick and accurate results. Recent testing of Delaware’s recreational waters revealed a presence of fecal contamination.
How Does Fecal Bacteria Get in the Water?
An environmental scientist at the DNREC explains that enterococcus is a bacterium that grows in the guts of all warm-blooded animals, such as migratory shore birds. Often, high levels of this type of bacteria is due to an influx of seagulls defecating along the Delaware coast. According to the scientist, enterococcus itself does not make people sick. Rather, the bacterium can lead to gastrointestinal illness, particularly in vulnerable groups like the young, old, or weak. Most people in good health will not experience negative health effects from swimming in water where higher levels of bacteria are detected.
Other tests must be conducted to determine whether the fecal matter is human, which would pose a much higher health risk than if the feces came from wildlife sources. A few decades ago, people visiting beaches near sewage plants became sick from ingesting human-based bacteria. However, according to a scientist at the University of Delaware’s pollution ecology laboratory in Lewes, that is unlikely to happen today given the increased levels of treatment and sterilization of sewage system water.
Toxic Tort Claims for Water Contamination
Exposure to pollutants in water can lead to several health issues, including gastrointestinal illness, dermatitis, nerve damage, and cardiovascular problems. Federal legislation, such as the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act, are designed to protect people from exposure to contaminated water. Companies, as well as other responsible parties that do not comply with the legislation, may be held liable in a toxic tort claim.
Wilmington Environmental Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Represent Clients Harmed by Water Contamination
If you believe your illness was caused by exposure to contaminants in beach water or the water you use at your home, contact a Wilmington environmental lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. We proudly represent clients in Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County from our offices in Georgetown and Wilmington, Delaware. For a free consultation, please complete our online contact form or call us at 302-656-5445.
Delaware River Basin Fracking Ban
Efforts to generate energy and protect the environment have been at odds for decades. Fracking, also known as hydraulic fracturing, is a technique that drills down into the earth and injects a high pressure water, sand, and chemical mix deep into shale rock formations to extract natural gas trapped inside. The process is extremely water intensive and all wastewater used in the process becomes contaminated with the proprietary chemical mix. The gas released in the process flows up through a well to be captured above ground. The well usually passes through a water table before being captured.
The Delaware River flows through New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. It has 2,000 tributaries within the surrounding watershed, which covers over 13,500 miles. The Delaware River provides drinking water and boating opportunities to millions of citizens.
Past Contamination
In the past, contamination from industrial operations and development hit the river hard. At one point, the river was so contaminated that fish could not survive. As a result, the four bordering states formed an interstate compact called the Delaware River Basin Commission to protect the river. Improvements have been made over time and fish are once again able to survive in the water. Work remains to enable the river to recover and thrive.
The river is still threatened by residual industrial contamination and overdevelopment. Today, concerns have been raised about the negative impact that nearby fracking operations have on the health of the river and the quality of the drinking water it supplies.
Governors Meet to Discuss Ban
Three of the four Governors of the compact states met recently to discuss the future of the river. The Governors were encouraged by recent federal funding for the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program and discussed programs in their states designed to address the river’s problems. Yet, more work needs to be done. Consensus is forming around the idea that preventing the contamination of drinking water is the sensible approach to protecting the public health and the health of our waterways.
The three Governors agreed that a ban on fracking within the basin will be needed to protect the river from the threat of new contamination. They signed a proclamation to reaffirm their commitment to work together to make the Delaware River Basin a national model for sustainable economic development, drinkable clean water, healthy fish and wildlife populations, outdoor recreation, and nature-based climate resilience.
Limiting Fracking and Its Damage
The Commission has proposed a prohibition on fracking in the basin. The Commission is also considering changing how contaminated wastewater generated from fracking is stored, treated, and disposed within the basin. Environmental advocacy groups support the ban on fracking and on the disposal of fracking wastewater in the basin. To date, thousands of comments have been submitted by the public on the issue.
Delaware Environmental Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Advocate for Victims Harmed by Water Contamination
Contaminated drinking water can cause serious health problems. If you have been exposed to contaminated drinking water or are concerned that water near you is being contaminated, contact a Delaware environmental lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. today. Call us at 302-656-5445 or complete an online form for a free consultation. Located in Wilmington and Georgetown, Delaware, we serve clients throughout the state, including Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
Delaware Companies Targeted for Environmental Cleanup
Five Delaware companies have been directed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to contribute millions of dollars toward environmental cleanup efforts. According to the agency, Chemours, 3M, Dow DuPont, DuPont, and Solvay have been contaminating drinking water in different parts of New Jersey for years. The funds will go toward assessing the pollution, as well as the remediation.
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances have been used to produce plastics for over 60 years in products such as water-resistant clothes, waxes, cleaning products, stain-resistant upholstery finishing, and non-stick cookware. Familiar brand names that use PFAS include Gore-Tex, Teflon, Scotchgard, and Stainmaster. PFAS substances are manufactured in plants all over the country.
PFOA and GenX, two Teflon chemicals, are linked to thyroid disease, hypertension, and certain cancers. Studies have shown that one in five residents receive tap water with traces of at least one PFAS substance; drinking water in Blades, Dover, and New Castle, Delaware have shown signs of this contamination.
The Directive
Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe emphasized that the companies have been contaminating the state’s water and creating serious health risks. She added that the companies will be held accountable for their actions. NJDEP’s directive mandates that the companies provide detailed information about the usage and discharge of PFAS, including air emissions, wastewater plants, chemical development, manufacturing, and sales.
Company Responses
A spokesperson from DuPont said that they received the directive and plan to work along with the NJDEP to understand how it will be carried out. DuPont stopped using PFOA about 10 years ago and replaced it with the GenX product. Their spin-off company, Chemours, now handles fluoroproduct operations, which includes GenX. Their response was similar, stating that they plan to work with the NJDEP.
Chemours was previously under intense media scrutiny over their use of GenX; the product was discovered in an area river that produces drinking water for 200,000 residents in North Carolina. The CEO stated that the company does not feel that GenX poses a health risk to the public. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking steps to address the PFAS contamination. However, New Jersey’s cleanup process could take many years.
Wilmington Environmental Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Fight for Those Harmed by Contaminated Drinking Water
If your drinking water supply has been threatened, the Wilmington environmental lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. can help. Call us at 302-656-5445 or contact us online for a free case evaluation today. With offices in Wilmington and Georgetown, Delaware, we represent clients in Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
World Water Day
Many people are used to having clean water that they take it for granted. Those in certain parts of the world do not have to think twice about water safety and availability, yet it is a daily concern for billions across the globe. Whether it is in their homes, farms, schools, or their work, these disadvantaged people have difficulty accessing safe water. It is often seen as a form of discrimination.
Access to drinkable, usable water is a basic human right, yet the lack of it is a real emergency for so many, which is why World Water Day was created. It takes place on March 22 and is sponsored by the World Health Organization, Unicef, AquaFed, the United Nations, and other groups. Their goal is to educate, advocate, and focus on why so many are in this crisis.
Where the Contaminants Come From
The water technology company, Bluewater, conducted a survey that reported 28 percent of Americans have been confronted with water contamination from 2016 to 2018. The respondents also expressed concerns about toxic metals, lead, and chemical pollutants in their water. Nine percent said that they had to drink bottled water because of contaminated water supplies. Using plastic bottles creates more waste, which can end up in drinking water; its long-term health effects are not clear.
Bluewater’s president said that plastic bottles are a convenience, and these pollute the planet’s waters. Other sources of water contamination include water products from refineries, waste treatment plants, and factories, even though these practices are regulated. There are also indirect sources, such as groundwater and soils that contain pesticides and fertilizers; automobile and factory emissions also get into the air and water supply. Polluted water can poison people, animals, and ecosystems.
How Water Pollution Affects the Disadvantaged
Poorer communities, especially those with older and poorly functioning water systems, can be at a higher risk for toxic water consumption. Without decent water systems, these people are confronted with contaminated water and skyrocketing utility bills. This was seen in Flint, Michigan when lead-contaminated water created a public health crisis in this poverty-stricken area in 2014. The city had changed water suppliers to save money, and this led to corrosion in the pipe system.
Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. is involved with another water contamination case that involves a lower-income area. It involves Mountaire Farms, a poultry producing factory in Millsboro, Delaware. The company is accused of violating state environmental laws, with allegations that they have contaminated the local groundwater and land. This poses health threats to people living in the area.
Equal Water Quality for All
Everyone should have access to safe water, but many factors are unjustly preventing many from having a basic human right. This is becoming an issue that spans communities across the globe. If governments start to invest in improving water infrastructures and services without bias, people of all economic and cultural backgrounds can benefit from safer water and better health. World Water Day hopes to raise awareness on this front.
Delaware Environmental Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Advocate for Victims of Contaminated Water Consumption
If you and your family are suffering the effects of toxic water, contact an experienced Delaware environmental lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Call us at 302-656-5445 or complete an online form for a free consultation today. Our offices are in Wilmington and Georgetown, Delaware, where we represent clients in Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
Attorney Crumplar Comments on Delaware Chicken Plant Wastewater Spill
Attorney Thomas C. Crumplar of Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. offered commentary on the wastewater spill that occurred at the Mountaire Farms poultry processing plant in Millsboro, Delaware. Up to one million gallons of partially treated wastewater was reported to have spilled onto the ground on Wednesday as a result of a machine malfunction. Although representatives for Mountaire claim the leak was contained, neighbors who reside near the plant are concerned about potential contamination of well water.
Read the article featured in Delaware Online
Read the article featured on WHYY
Attorneys at Jacobs & Crumplar and other firms are currently representing numerous Millsboro-area residents who believe they were affected by contaminated drinking water related to alleged violations on the part of Mountaire Farms.
If you believe you developed an illness due to water contamination or need legal counsel on environmental issues, contact the Delaware toxic tort lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. at 302-656-5445 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation We serve clients throughout Delaware, including those in Dover, Georgetown, and Wilmington, and we serve as local counsel in cases nationwide.
Contamination at Dover Air Force Base
The Dover Air Force Base is among several local military sites that have extraordinarily high levels of ground water contamination from two perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCs). Measurements of two such chemicals, PFOA, a perfluorocarboxylic acid, and PFOS, a perfluorosolfonate, were as high as 254,000 times the limit of 11 parts per trillion (ppt), which one Federal agency deems necessary for drinking water to protect public health.
Two sites near Wilmington had similar results. New Castle Air National Guard Base was tested at 758 times the recommended limit while the Marine Corps Reserve Training Center was tested at 176 times the recommended limit. The findings were made available by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), a non-profit science-based organization, who performed a study of PFC contamination detected by the Department of Defense at military sites.
PFCs are used in many products. It is likely the Dover Air Force Base and other military sites were contaminated by using firefighting foam containing PFOA. There is reason to be concerned about the high level of contamination. Once contamination reaches the ground water, it can spread in a plume and affect nearby public water systems and private wells.
Concerns on Health Impact
Efforts are being made to reduce use of PFOA and PFOS to warn the public about the potential threat. There is widespread use of these compounds. They are suspected of causing fetal damage, kidney and testicular cancer, liver damage, immune system interference, thyroid malfunction, and elevated cholesterol levels. Some advocates, including the UCS, believe more needs to be done to protect public health and the environment.
Defining Safe Limits is a Challenge
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found PFCs in some local drinking water supplies and found that PFCs have begun to bioaccumulate in fish. The EPA has also evaluated peer reviewed research on toxicity of PFCs. Considering the evidence, the EPA published a Lifetime Health Advisory (LTHA) for PFOA and PFOS. They recommend that the concentration of PFOA and PFOS in drinking water, either individually or combined, should not be greater than 70 ppt.
The LTHA is non-regulatory and simply provides technical information on health effects, analytical methodologies, and treatment technologies associated with drinking water contamination. The agency is considering whether it is necessary to regulate PFOA and PFOS at the national level. It has held public hearings at certain contaminated sites.
Another regulatory agency is recommending a different value for safe drinking water levels. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) issued a report proposing the safe drinking water limit be set at 11 ppt, which is much stricter than the EPA’s recommendation.
Delaware Environmental Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Advocate for Victims Harmed by Contaminated Water
If you believe you have been exposed to dangerous levels of a toxic chemical, do not wait until you feel sick to act. An experienced Delaware environmental lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. can help assess your situation. Call us at 302-656-5445 or complete our online form for a free initial consultation. With offices in Wilmington and Georgetown, Delaware, we serve clients from the surrounding areas, including Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.