FiOS The New York State Attorney General’s Office is suing six companies to recoup at least $38 million spent on cleaning up environmental contamination caused by toxic chemicals used at airports.
The lawsuit alleges that the use of firefighting foams made by the companies at several military and civilian airports, including Stewart International Airport in Newburgh and New Windsor, resulted in extensive contamination of soil, fish, and water.
The six companies named in the lawsuit are 3M Company, Tyco Fire Products LP, Chemguard Inc., Buckeye Fire Equipment Co., National Foam Inc., and Kidde-Fenwal Inc. “The conduct of these manufacturers caused widespread contamination of our drinking water and our environment, and jeopardized the health of tens of thousands of New Yorkers,” Attorney General Barbara Underwood said.
“3M will vigorously defend this lawsuit.
3M acted responsibly at all times and will defend its record of stewardship in connection with its manufacturing and sale of AFFF,” said spokeswoman Donna Fleming Runyon.
Westchester foam case The lawsuit comes after Westchester County officials suspected firefighting foam caused groundwater contamination at the county airport, The Journal News/lohud reported.
Andrew Cuomo said.
Firefighting foam dangers 3M began developing firefighting foams containing PFOS in the early 1960s, and sold products containing PFOS and/or PFOA to the federal Department of Defense through at least 2000, Underwood said.
The lawsuit alleges that the other five companies also sold products containing PFOA and PFOS, or compounds that break down into them, to the federal agency.
In fact, in April 2006, 3M agreed to pay a penalty of more than $1.5 million to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its failure to disclose studies dating back decades that confirmed the potential hazards of these chemicals to public health and the environment, among other things, Underwood said.