Persistent "Forever Chemicals" Lead to $27M Settlement

In 2016, residents of Hoosick Falls, NY were alerted by US EPA that the village’s drinking water was unsafe due to PFAS contamination. Later that year, a class-action lawsuit was filed naming four companies operating locally as responsible for the contamination.

In 2021, three of the firms named in the suit settled for $65.25 million. This month, a fourth company agreed to resolve their alleged role for $27 million. If approved by the judge, the agreement would provide for repayment to residents for property losses due to contamination, with a portion funding a medical monitoring program.

Related: EPA Releases Revised PFAS Disposal Guidance

PFAS: Purpose and Persistence

PFAS substances, often called, “forever chemicals,” do not degrade naturally in the environment. These substances are commonly found in surface coatings, food packaging, textiles, firefighting foams, and other products that make use of their strength. What makes them valuable and useful also increases their potential to harm human health and the environment.

Recent and Upcoming Federal PFAS Regulations

In April 2024, the EPA created maximum contaminant levels for five PFAS chemicals: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA. In May 2025, the agency announced it is reconsidering part of that rule.

Some PFAS were going to be required for TRI reports due July 1, 2025, as they were added to the TRI reportable list of “chemicals of special concern.” Recently, EPA delayed the effective date of that rule, so the first TRI submissions that will require information on those nine PFAS substances will be due July 1, 2026.

Effective July 8, 2024, US EPA listed PFOA and PFOS as Superfund substances under CERCLA.

US EPA proposed a rule in February 2024 to add nine PFAS to the list of “hazardous constituents” under RCRA—a step toward a potential hazardous waste listing.

A 2023 Final Rule requires most manufacturers and importers of PFAS to report the manufacture or import of any PFAS chemicals or PFAS-containing articles in any year since January 1, 2011. Due to a deadline extension, submissions are now due by October 13, 2026, or by April 13, 2027, for small manufacturers reporting exclusively as article importers.

Training for Environmental Managers

Want a clearer idea of how major EPA air, water, and chemical programs all fit together to affect your site's activities? Join in on the next Complete Environmental Regulations Webinar on July 24–25 at Lion.com.

EH&S professionals who attend can identify the regulations that apply to their facility and locate key requirements to achieve compliance with the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts to EPCRA, TSCA, Superfund, and more. Prefer to train at your own pace? Take the interactive online course.

Tags: PFAS