Kansas City joins massive lawsuit targeting chemical companies linked to dangerous “forever chemicals”

Kansas City, Missouri – Kansas City is now one of many cities in the US who are suing chemical companies because firefighting foam with dangerous “forever chemicals” has caused widespread contamination.

City officials said earlier this week that they would file a lawsuit in the United States District Court of South Carolina, where similar cases are being combined. The lawsuit is aimed at companies who make Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), a fire suppressant that has been used at airports, military facilities, and industrial locations to put out fuel fires. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are chemicals that last a long time and are connected to major health and environmental problems.

The city’s complaint is mostly about pollution that comes from the Kansas City Aviation Department and KC Water facilities. Officials believe that decades of using AFFF at these sites have left contamination in the soil and groundwater that will last for a long time. This pose long-term risk for both the environment and public health.

Mayor Quinton Lucas said that the lawsuit is about more than just holding people legally responsible. It’s also about making sure that residents don’t have to pay for the cleanup.

“The health and safety of our residents is Kansas City’s highest priority. The lawsuit over PFAS chemicals ensures that the costs of addressing long-term contamination are not solely shouldered by Kansas Citians” says Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas. “These ‘forever chemicals’ have contaminated water systems across the nation. We are committed to protecting our community’s drinking water while ensuring that those who created this environmental crisis bear the financial responsibility for remediation.”

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People have been using PFAS chemicals for decades since they don’t break down in heat, oil, or water. But their strength is also what makes them so dangerous: they don’t break down quickly and can stay in the environment for a long time. Researchers have linked PFAS exposure to cancer, liver damage, problems with reproduction, and a weaker immune system. Because of these concerns, the federal government and several states are now making it harder to use and clean up.

The lawsuit for Kansas City aims to get back money spent on environmental testing, cleaning up soil and groundwater, following new PFAS rules, and long-term public health and infrastructure improvements. City officials argue that the lawsuit is required to protect both current and future residents from the effects of contamination that has been around for decades.

Kansas City is working with Grant & Eisenhofer, Pawa Law Group, and Earth & Water Law to lead the action. These companies already represent other cities around the country that are making similar claims. Officials also said that a special webpage will give people background information, answers to frequent questions, and updates on the lawsuit. You can find that resource here.

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Kansas City is now part of a national movement to hold makers of firefighting foam responsible for the expensive and long-lasting damage caused by PFAS pollution. City authorities say the goal is clear: to keep people healthy, get clean water, and make sure that the people who made money off the chemicals pay for the cleanup, not the people who have to deal with the effects.