PFAS are a class of about 15,000 chemicals often used to make products resistant to water, stains and heat. The compounds are ubiquitous, and linked at low levels of exposure to cancer, thyroid disease, kidney dysfunction, birth defects, autoimmune disease and other serious health problems. They are called “forever chemicals” because they don’t naturally degrade in the environment.
The consumer groups include the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (Peer) and the Center for Environmental Health nonprofits. Their action is the latest salvo in a winding three-year regulatory and legal battle over widespread PFAS contamination in plastic containers, which the groups say is not being properly addressed by the EPA or the US Food and Drug Administration.
Inhance did not respond to a request for comment, but the company previously told the Guardian it is “in full compliance with all relevant regulations”.
