Another Grand Strand city has opted out of a class action PFAS lawsuit. North Myrtle Beach Council opted out of the settlement on Monday.
Myrtle Beach City Council voted Tuesday morning to opt out of a $3 million settlement with DuPont, which makes foaming chemicals used in nonstick cookware and firefighting foam.
PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, has leaked into water from these products, according to a nationwide suit.
The city council did not discuss the settlement before voting, according to Kruea, who added they don’t know if forever chemicals are present in the area’s water supply.
The city of North Myrtle Beach voted to opt out of the settlement on Monday, in part saying they weren’t ready to commit to it. The city would no longer be able to sue if regulations against the chemicals were to expand in the future, which could result in the city spending more money treating for PFAS if it accepted the settlement now.
Cancer, birth defects, and other adverse health effects have been linked to exposure to certain PFAS, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
WHAT IS PFAS?
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They are a group of man-made chemicals that have been widely used in various industrial applications since the 1940s. PFAS are known for their unique properties, including resistance to heat, water, oil, and stains. These properties make them extremely useful in a range of products, including non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, firefighting foams, and many more.
However, PFAS are also classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which means they resist degradation in the environment and can accumulate over time. Due to their widespread use and persistence, PFAS have become a concern due to their potential adverse effects on human health and the environment.
Scientific research has linked exposure to PFAS with a variety of health issues, including developmental and reproductive problems, immune system disorders, liver damage, and an increased risk of certain types of cancer. As a result, regulatory bodies and governments around the world are taking steps to restrict the use of certain PFAS compounds and reduce human exposure.
It’s important to note that there are thousands of different PFAS compounds, and not all of them have been extensively studied or regulated. Therefore, it’s an ongoing area of research to study the potential risks associated with specific PFAS compounds and develop effective strategies for their management and remediation.