Lathrop GPM has deep experience developing regulatory strategy and defending litigation in the area of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and we have been involved in some of the nation’s most-publicized cases. PFAS compounds, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” present legal risks for businesses of all kinds, including food processing facilities, chemical companies and other manufacturers. Additionally, municipalities and former military bases are frequently locations with PFAS contamination issues.
PFAS, a family of human-made chemicals, are commonly found in firefighting foam, wastewater treatment sludge, and in a variety of consumer products, from paper and packaging to ski and snowboard waxes to cleaning agents and fabric softeners. There are nearly 5,000 different types of PFAS and the ubiquity of these compounds presents a unique challenge for a wide swath of companies that have worked with various molecular permutations of this class of chemicals. Our expertise comes from years of closely following both the law and the science of PFAS, including PFAS health effects evaluation and standard setting.