Georgia manufacturers are pushing for new legislation that would shield them from lawsuits related to PFAS contamination, commonly known as “forever chemicals,” in the state’s water supply. Representatives from manufacturing industries, including carpet and textile companies, urged state lawmakers to pass House Bill 211, arguing they were unaware of the risks associated with the chemicals they used.

However, lawyers representing victims of PFAS contamination argued before the House Judiciary Committee that these companies knew the wastewater they were releasing was polluted and should be held accountable for the resulting health issues. House Bill 211 proposes to protect companies that used PFAS chemicals, typically for stain resistance and fire retardancy in fabrics, while holding the chemical manufacturers themselves, such as DuPont and 3M, responsible for the pollution of rivers and streams with the potentially cancer-causing substances. Only companies found guilty of “willful misconduct” in their use of PFAS would remain liable to lawsuits. “They [PFAS manufacturers] sold them to us as safe,” said Rep. Kasey Carpenter, R-Dalton, the bill’s chief sponsor. He emphasized the bill’s intent to “focus the attention of litigation on the chemical companies that willfully neglected protecting consumers.” Brittney Hull, vice president of government affairs for the Georgia Association of Manufacturers, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Many of my members are being drawn into lawsuits over something they had no control over. They used a product deemed legal and, as such, should not be held liable.”

Opponents of the bill contend that companies using PFAS chemicals were, in fact, aware of the potential health hazards but continued to use them regardless, prioritizing profit over public safety. The debate highlights the complex legal and ethical questions surrounding the long-term environmental impact of PFAS and the responsibility of companies involved in their use