Judge Rules 3M and DuPont Must Face Firefighter Lawsuit

U.S. District Judge Alvin Thompson ruled on Tuesday that 3M, DuPont, and Honeywell, along with more than 20 other defendants, must face a class-action lawsuit filed by Connecticut firefighters. The legal action, which began in June 2024, is the first of its kind to exclusively target protective turnout gear containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as forever chemicals.

The plaintiffs, comprising 12 individual firefighters and 13 union organizations, allege that chemicals from 3M's Scotchlite reflective material and DuPont's Kevlar leached into their bodies, increasing their risk of cancer. Honeywell is named as a defendant for its role in manufacturing the gear.

Judge Thompson determined that the unions possess organizational standing to pursue the case. He further ruled that the firefighters are entitled to seek damages and medical monitoring, regardless of whether they currently exhibit symptoms of illness. The lawsuit also involves The Chemours Company and Corteva, spinoffs of DuPont that inherited certain liabilities related to the PFAS claims.