Regulators have begun to focus on chemicals found in things like plastics and firefighting foam, the so-called forever chemicals linked to cancer and other health problems.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has filed suit against the companies that produce them. Mayes filed the suit against 3M, DuPont and a DuPont spinoff on Friday.
She said the companies were negligent in the design, manufacture and sale of products that contain the chemicals, known as PFAS. The chemicals can be found in non-stick pans, clothing and other items.
"We have multiple sites throughout the state where our water has been contaminated by PFAS and it’s time that these chemical companies like Dow, and Dupont are held accountable for that and we’re going to make them pay for the cleanup of these chemicals," Mayes said.
Mayes said the companies began to study the chemicals decades ago and were aware of the dangers.
The chemicals break down slowly and can build up in people and the environment over time.
