PFAS cover-up

❗This article is a stub. You can help by expanding it.

A moderator needs to check the page before this notice can be removed. Visit the noticeboard or the #appeals channel in either Zulip or Discord to request removal.

More info ▼

An article may be flagged as a stub when it is missing major elements needed to make it useful to a reader. You can help by adding missing sections, verifiable sources, relevant company policies and communications, etc. to make the article more complete.

Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used in the creation of Teflon, a strong material that was used excessively in the 20th century. PFAS are however noted to be "forever chemicals", which cannot break down and have been known to cause cancer in sizes as small as 4 parts per trillion (the equivalent of 1 drop within several swimming pools), and have been leeched into the environment for nearly a century. Companies such as 3M and DuPont have both been burying this information and spreading harmful misinformation regarding the safety of PFAS.

Background

Just before the second World War, consumers were dying due to the refrigerants used in electric refrigerators being lethal, often being called the silent killer by both consumers and the media during the time. Because of this, companies were attempting to create a safer alternative, and through a mistake involving the storage of tetrafluoroethylene gas inside of cylinders in 1939, the waxy solid polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), also known as Teflon, was discovered to be extremely resistant, and became a valuable material, especially in the production of fittings used during the Manhattan project.

As the excessive heat of creating Teflon in large quantities was becoming lethal, to the point where an explosion took multiple workers' lives, work was put into producing a way to generate Teflon in a water-cooled environment. This led to the creation polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), such as PFOS or PFOA, which both increased the safety of producing Teflon, and also the added benefit creating products that could be coated with Teflon.

Lawsuits

If applicable, add any information regarding litigation around the incident here.

Claims

Main claims of the suit.

Rebuttal

The response of the company or counterclaims.

Outcome

The outcome of the suit, if any.

---

Add your text below this box. Once this section is complete, delete this box by clicking on it and pressing backspace.

Consumer response

Summary and key issues of prevailing sentiment from the consumers and commentators that can be documented via articles, emails to support, reviews and forum posts.

---

Add your text below this box. Once this section is complete, delete this box by clicking on it and pressing backspace.

In recent years, consumers have shown backlash towards companies such as 3M and DuPont who are responsible for both irresponsibly dumping wasted PFAS into the environment, and also burying the harmful risks of PFAS on both humans and the environment. Veritasium released a documentary covering the history of PFAS and their concerns over the harm it has caused for billions of people.