The state of Maryland has launched a legal battle against W.L. Gore & Associates, the Delaware-based company behind the iconic Gore-Tex material. The lawsuit alleges the company knowingly polluted the environment with toxic “forever chemicals,” posing severe health risks to nearby communities.
Allegations of Environmental Contamination
Filed in federal court, the lawsuit focuses on 13 facilities in northeastern Maryland operated by Gore. It accuses the company of contaminating local air and water with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of nearly indestructible chemicals linked to cancer, immune system disorders, and reproductive health issues.
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown criticized the company for prioritizing profits over public health, stating, “It is unacceptable for any company to knowingly contaminate our drinking water with these toxins, putting Marylanders at risk of severe health conditions.”
Corporate Defense and Response
Gore has denied the allegations, citing its collaborative efforts with state regulators over the past two years. Spokesperson Donna Leinwand Leger said the company has been “proactively addressing environmental concerns” using the latest science and technology.
However, attorney Philip Federico, representing plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit against Gore, dismissed these efforts as inadequate. “It’s typical corporate environmental contamination. They’re in no hurry to fix the problem,” he said, highlighting ongoing health issues among residents, including a recent kidney cancer diagnosis.
The Impact of PFAS on Communities
PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment, have been found in private wells near Gore’s facilities. Residents have reported elevated levels of these substances in their water, prompting the installation of costly filtration systems.
While Gore claims to have eliminated perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from Gore-Tex production since 2014, the chemicals’ long-term presence continues to pose environmental and health risks.
Historical Knowledge of Chemical Risks
The state’s lawsuit outlines Gore’s longstanding ties to DuPont, a chemical giant also embroiled in litigation over PFAS pollution. The complaint alleges that as early as 1961, DuPont scientists were aware of the chemicals’ harmful effects on liver function in animals, knowledge that Gore leaders failed to disclose to the public.
DuPont has already settled similar claims, agreeing to a $1.18 billion deal in 2023 to address PFAS contamination in U.S. drinking water systems.
Demands for Accountability
Maryland’s lawsuit seeks to hold Gore financially responsible for the costs of ongoing investigations and cleanup efforts. State officials are pressing for immediate action to remove PFAS from local natural resources and ensure public safety.
Serena McIlwain, Secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment, emphasized the urgency of the situation: “We must remove these forever chemicals from our natural resources urgently, and we expect responsible parties to pay for this remediation.”
