Environmental & Energy
Jan. 9, 2020
‘Forever chemicals’ need long-term strategies
“Flavor of the Month” is a misnomer, particularly for PFAS; between a hit movie (Dark Waters) and the interest of class action plaintiffs’ attorneys, we can expect to hear about PFAS for a long time. But the catchphrase is accurate in implying that media interest usually moves on to another potential threat from other “forever chemicals” long before a solution to an old problem is found.
Gerald George
Partner
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Email: GeraldGeorge@dwt.com
Gerald is an environmental partner in the firm's San Francisco office. He has practiced environmental law for 30 years, including as head of the U.S. Department of Justice Environmental Enforcement Section field office in San Francisco.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), aka the "forever chemicals," are the current class of pollutants making news, and the "flavor of the month" words. PFAS are surfactant chemicals used in waterproofing everyday products and in fire suppression foam. They have a nasty habit of penetrating to groundwater and once there, are very difficult to clean up.
Of course, "Flavor of the Month" is a misnomer, particularly for PFAS; betw...
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