skip to main content
Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys at Law
Capabilities
People
main menu
Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys at Law
  • Capabilities
  • People
  • Capabilities
  • People
About
About
Inclusion and Engagement
Social Impact
Lateral Opportunities
About
Inclusion and Engagement
Social Impact
Lateral Opportunities
Resources
Insights
News
Events
Insights
News
Events
Careers
Contact
Offices

Managing the Legal, Regulatory and Scientific Challenges of PFAS

(Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known for their flame-retardant, water-resistant and stain-resistant qualities, are so commonly used throughout substances, products and industries that they are ubiquitous in the environment. Allegations regarding adverse health impacts from exposure to these “forever chemicals” have given rise to increased litigation and regulation, forcing companies and their attorneys to educate themselves and take appropriate action.

Harris Beach’s PFAS attorneys are following emerging regulations and court precedents to assist businesses in navigating the evolving legal landscape and pursuing best practices. Throughout the nation, a myriad of motions across product and jurisdiction lines seek to dismiss claims on theories of testing, standing and even preemption. These pending decisions will inform the scope and future of this litigation and Harris Beach’s PFAS lawyers intend to be involved and educated.

We help clients assess PFAS risks and address contaminant issues that lead to regulatory actions, project delays and potential threats of litigation. We work with scientific experts and provide critical guidance to businesses in a variety of industries, including aviation, manufacturing, commercial real estate, municipalities, utilities insurance carriers, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food and beverage.

Let's Connect

Growing PFAS Litigation Requires Education, Monitoring and Implementation of Best Practices

From mascara to microwave popcorn, and from water to wrappers, the glut of litigation related to the presence of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) has forced companies and attorneys to pay attention to prospective consumer class-action suits. This white paper covers the emerging nature of PFAS claims, relevant regulations across a number of industries and product types, and tips for safeguarding against potential litigation.

Services Include:

Developing Long-term Regulatory Strategies

Advising clients as they deal with historic PFAS-related contamination and building effective long-term strategies to address an evolving regulatory environment.

Due Diligence

Integrating PFAS-related issues into the transactional environmental due diligence work that we perform for commercial real estate clients.

Documenting and Reporting

Helping clients with documenting and reporting required PFAS-related information, which is often available through freedom of information requests and used to identify defendants for litigation.

Supporting Redevelopment Projects

Supporting commercial real estate clients in the redevelopment of former industrial/commercial properties and in greenfield development projects sited in areas that may have been impacted by off-site activities.

Early Settlement and Resolution

Counseling clients through early settlement and resolution of PFAS-related claims.

Litigation

Defense of class actions, mass torts and other litigation involving allegations related to PFAS.

Monitoring Counsel

Serving as monitoring counsel for leading insurers in the context of regulatory agency actions and class action and other litigation involving PFAS contamination.

Working with Insurance Carriers

Supporting insurance carriers with PFAS-related issues affecting their insured clients.

Evaluating Impact on Water Supplies

Advising municipal and other clients as they evaluate potential risks from PFAS in effluent discharges and biosolids, drinking water supplies, separate stormwater systems and contaminated properties. We also support landfill operators and other municipally-operated entities that may be affected by PFAS contamination.

Assisting With Ongoing Clean-up Activities

Assisting clients that may have used PFAS-containing chemicals in their processes with these legacy issues, including integrating PFAS concerns into ongoing cleanup activities and reviewing potential impacts on pretreatment discharges to publicly owned treatment works.

Additional Resources:

EPA Designates Two PFAS Substances as CERCLA Hazardous Substances

On April 19, 2024, just nine days after finalizing the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard for six individual per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the

EPA Finalizes Long-Awaited National PFAS Drinking Water Standard

On April 10, 2024, EPA issued the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard for five individual per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS,

EPA Proposes Rules for Regulating PFAS under RCRA

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released two proposed regulations that would classify nine per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as “hazardous constituents” and expand oversight

FDA Phases Out PFAS in Certain Food-Packaging Materials

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced certain food-packaging materials containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) will no longer be sold in the U.S.

Load More
Subscribe

Contact Us

Get in touch to discuss how we can help you manage PFAS risks.

Gene Kelly

Gene Kelly

(518) 701-2740
GKelly@HarrisBeachMurtha.com

Partner Kelly Jones Howell

Kelly Jones Howell

(212) 912-3652
KHowell@HarrisBeachMurtha.com

Abbie Fuchs

Abbie Eliasberg Fuchs

(212) 313-5408
AFuchs@HarrisBeachMurtha.com

Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys at Law
  • Contact
  • Offices
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal Disclaimer
  • Site Map
  • Contact
  • Offices
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal Disclaimer
  • Site Map
Payment Portal
X-twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. © 2025 Harris Beach Murtha Cullina PLLC

TRUSTe