Attorney General Todd Rokita has initiated a lawsuit against 22 companies accused of manufacturing "forever chemicals" despite knowing the health risks involved. The lawsuit claims these companies continued production while hiding evidence of the dangers posed by these substances.
"We’re taking action today to hold these companies accountable for their clear violation of laws designed to protect human health," said Attorney General Todd Rokita. "For decades, they sought to hide research showing that their products were extremely dangerous to people everywhere, including Hoosiers. And they did it so they could make million-dollar profits at the cost of our health and well-being."
The chemicals in question are PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, used in products like non-stick cookware and firefighting foam. Known as "forever chemicals," PFAS persist in the environment, contaminating air, water, and soil.
Evidence from former employees suggests that companies actively concealed research about PFAS's harmful effects over several decades. Recent studies have linked PFAS exposure to cancer and other health issues.
Indiana's lawsuit states: "Addressing the PFAS emergency that Defendants have caused requires substantial effort and expense to investigate, treat, and remediate the contamination." It argues that those responsible must pay for cleanup efforts across Indiana.
Filed in Shelby County, the lawsuit highlights contamination at sites such as Grissom Air Reserve Base due to aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) used in firefighting. Testing by Indiana authorities found high levels of PFAS in drinking water across multiple counties.
The suit alleges violations of state and federal environmental regulations alongside consumer protection laws.
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