PFAS: The Defining Environmental Litigation of This Decade
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — the “forever chemicals” — have generated what may become the largest environmental mass tort in American history. The PFAS MDL has consolidated thousands of claims.
The $10.3 billion settlement by 3M in 2023 and DuPont/Chemours’ $1.185 billion settlement established that financial exposure is enormous. But these covered only a fraction of potential claims.
Expert Categories in Environmental Litigation
Environmental toxicologists are the foundational experts. They assess toxicological properties of substances, interpret dose-response relationships, and opine on whether exposure levels are sufficient to cause health effects.
Hydrogeologists and environmental engineers address the fate and transport of contaminants through groundwater, soil, and air.
Epidemiologists provide population-level evidence linking chemical exposure to disease outcomes.
Emerging Contamination Frontiers
Beyond PFAS, microplastics contamination is moving from a public health concern to a litigation reality.
Industrial site contamination continues to generate substantial litigation involving complex mixtures of contaminants and decades-long exposure periods.
Climate change litigation is also creating new demand for environmental experts.