Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York Attorney
General Barbara Underwood today announced that the state has filed a
lawsuit against six companies that manufactured aqueous film-forming
foam containing the chemicals perfluorooctane sulfonic
acid/perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and/or perfluorooctanoic
acid/perfluorooctanoate (PFOA). PFOS and PFOA contamination resulting
from these firefighting foams has been found at locations across New
York, including Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh and Gabreski
Air National Guard Base in Southampton. The lawsuit seeks to hold the
companies accountable and recover state costs and natural resource
damages associated with PFOS/PFOA contamination at several sites and is
the latest step in New York's ongoing efforts to tackle emerging
contaminants.
"As state experts continue to
investigate contamination caused by firefighting foams, New York is
working to end the dangerous practices that threaten our natural
resources," Governor Cuomo said.
"By taking necessary
legal action against these companies, we are sending a clear message
that we will do everything in our power to protect New Yorkers."
"The
conduct of these manufacturers caused widespread contamination of our
drinking water and our environment - and jeopardized the health of tens
of thousands of New Yorkers," Attorney General Underwood said. "My
office will hold these companies accountable for endangering the health
of New Yorkers, including forcing them to fully repay the state for
cleaning up the toxic mess they created."
Defendants
in the suit include 3M Company, Tyco Fire Products LP, Chemguard, Inc.,
Buckeye Fire Equipment Company, National Foam, Inc., and Kidde-Fenwal,
Inc.
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Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
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