Consumer Protection Law Firm Hagens Berman Sues 3M, Others in Class Action Alleging PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in Millions of Carpets

A new class-action lawsuit alleges millions of homes and businesses contain carpets infused with so-called “forever chemicals,” a fact that major manufacturers have attempted to cover up for decades, despite alleged awareness of their harms to human health, according to attorneys at Hagens Berman.

The lawsuit was filed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota and, based on findings in cited studies, accuses defendants 3M, Chemours Company and EIDP Inc. (referred to as Old DuPont in the lawsuit) of allegedly engaging in a massive coverup deliberately designed to mislead the public about the alleged harms of the chemicals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which have been used widely in carpets and rugs. A large percentage of PFAS produced worldwide is used to treat carpets, rugs and other home textiles to impart stain-, soil-, oil- or water-resistance.

These products constitute nearly half of all floor coverings in U.S. houses and workplaces. Because children are especially sensitive to the alleged harms of PFAS, daycares are businesses of exceptional concern. Through normal use, treated carpets, rugs and other consumer products release PFAS into indoor air and dust, which people inhale or ingest.

If you purchased carpeting and had it installed before 2020, find out more about your consumer rights in the class-action lawsuit.

“Consumers in millions of homes across the country would be shocked to learn that under their feet are carpets infused with PFAS, otherwise known as forever chemicals, for their allegedly persistent and widespread harms to human health, especially children,” said Steve Berman, managing partner of Hagens Berman.

“This isn’t the first rodeo for these companies,” Berman added. “Many have already been forced to pay monumental amounts related to PFAS contamination, meaning they’ve been on notice in more ways than one, yet have allegedly continued to sweep these chemicals under the rug of unsuspecting home and businessowners.”

3M agreed to pay $10.3 billion to settle claims that it contaminated public water systems with PFAS, while Old DuPont and related companies Chemours and Corteva Inc., agreed to pay $1.19 billion to settle similar claims, among other settlements cited in the newly filed lawsuit.

Decades of Alleged Coverup

The lawsuit illustrates the history of the use of PFAS in various products manufactured by defendants, which attorneys say constitutes racketeering, bringing claims under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.