PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made chemicals that have been used in the U.S. since the 1940s. They are added to products like non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothes, firefighting foams, and food packaging. PFAS are often called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment or the human body. PFAS are made with strong carbon-fluorine bonds, which makes them very long-lasting and able to spread far in the environment and persist indefinitely in the bloodstream.
In the U.S., one of the primary ways people come into contact with PFAS is through drinking water. These chemicals can leak into water from industrial waste, landfills, and wastewater treatment plants. Firefighting foam with PFAS, used at military bases and airports, is another big source of PFAS contamination. Once in the environment, PFAS can seep into groundwater and surface water, eventually ending up in public water systems and private wells. Because they are so widely used and extremely long-lasting, PFAS can now be found in water sources all over the world, with studies showing them in drinking water across the U.S, primarily in areas of industry.
Since PFAS remain in the body indefinitely, their harmful effects can build up, becoming more harmful over the years, despite when your exposure to PFAS was. The drinking water in the town may have improved but you are facing adverse health side effects now.
If you have PFAS related injuries it is imperative to contact a Massachusetts PFAS Water Contamination Attorney today. Attorney Tracy Paulsen and her team of PFAS Lawyers at Rightful Legal strive to hold the manufacturers of PFAS liable and responsible for the harm they have caused to numerous people and families in our home state of Massachusetts.
Rightful Legal’s mission is to use tort law to regulate and penalize the wrongdoers for the dangers they have posed to Westfield and Massachusetts citizens.
Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation to see if you may be eligible for compensation through a Westfield PFAS Lawsuit.
Call to speak with Attorney Paulsen directly at 617-821-7871
The historic manufacturing Western Massachusetts town of Westfield, home to Barnes Air National Guard Base, has faced significant PFAS contamination in its drinking water. This contamination is primarily linked to the use of firefighting foam at Barnes Air National Guard Base. This military base, home to the 104th Fighter Wing, is situated north of the town of Westfield, along with the Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport. The airport and military base have historically used aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) to prevent and fight fires caused by aviation fuels. These foams, rich in PFAS compounds, leached into the Barnes Aquifer, a critical water source for the Westfield area. As a result, the drinking water in Westfield has tested at a whopping 345.9 parts per trillion (PPT) of PFAS, compared to the Massachusetts state average of just 35.3 PPT.
When a federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limit on drinking water PFAS levels of 70 PPT was introduced in 2016, Westfield exceeded them. As a result, several municipal wells were shut down, and temporary water treatment systems were installed. The EPA has since lowered the limits for PFAS to almost undetectable levels. Enforceable levels are now just 4 PPT for PFOA and PFOS, and 10 PPT for PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA.
EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels for 6 PFAS in drinking water:
| Compound | Final MCLG | Final MCL (enforceable levels)1 |
| PFOA | Zero | 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt) (also expressed as ng/L) |
| PFOS | Zero | 4.0 ppt |
| PFHxS | 10 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFNA | 10 ppt | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA (commonly known as GenX Chemicals) | 10 ppt | 10 ppt |
| Mixtures containing two or more of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS | 1 (unitless) Hazard Index | 1 (unitless) Hazard Index |
Source: Final PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has its own limits for PFAS in public drinking water supplies, currently 20 PPT for PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFHpA, and PFDA. While the federal limits are currently stricter, MassDEP regulates a slightly different list of PFAS than the EPA.
Overall, Massachusetts has limits far greater than what is allowed at the federal level. This is very concerning. Despite, the lower federal levels, no known level of PFAS is considered safe for human exposure according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
When PFAS contamination came to light in 2016, Westfield installed temporary filters to attempt to deal with the issue and create time to plan a more comprehensive solution. By 2021, the city had invested in advanced water treatment systems, including the construction of a $13 million filtration facility. This new plant was specifically designed to remove PFAS from groundwater, ensuring safe drinking water for residents. The Owen District Road Water Treatment Plant, one of the city’s key projects, represents a state-of-the-art effort to eliminate these harmful chemicals from the water supply. The facility was brought online in August 2021.
In addition to investing in infrastructure, Westfield has also been active in advocating for state and federal support. The city has highlighted the financial burden of addressing PFAS contamination, encouraging collaboration with state agencies and leveraging federal initiatives aimed at setting stricter PFAS limits.
Nevertheless, an extensive study on PFAS exposure in residents of Westfield, MA, reveals that adverse effects from PFAS remain a danger to residents. Initiated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), this Westfield study was part of a broader effort to assess PFAS contamination in communities near military installations, including the Barnes Air National Guard Base. The base was identified as a significant source of PFAS contamination due to the historical use of AFFFs containing these chemicals.
The CDC/ATSDR study revealed that PFAS can persist in the bloodstream even after drinking water PFAS contamination in a community is reduced to safe levels. The older study participants were, the higher their levels were of PFAS, with blood levels of these compounds increasing with every year of participant age. Men had higher average levels of PFAS in their blood than women. Women were shown to pass PFAS contamination to their children through pregnancy and breastfeeding. Breastfed children were shown to have more PFAS in their blood than children who were not breastfed.
Knowing how much PFAS is present in your blood is critical, because high levels of these chemicals are linked to severe health risks. Blood PFAS concentrations at or above 20 nanograms per milliliter are considered hazardous and should prompt medical screening. Residents of Westfield, Massachusetts, have been found to have PFAS levels several times higher than individuals without known exposure, significantly increasing their risk of diseases such as cancer, thyroid disorders, and immune system issues. Elevated blood levels serve as an important marker for understanding personal exposure and guiding preventive healthcare strategies.
Even when the local water source has been cleaned up, PFAS can remain in the bloodstream for years due to their extreme persistence in the human body.
If your answer to both questions is YES, it is imperative to speak to a Westfield Water Contamination Attorney immediately.
In Massachusetts, you have only three years from the date your PFAS-related injury is discovered to file a claim for the compensation you deserve. To calculate the exact date that your injury was discovered and determine the time remaining to make your claim, you should speak to a Massachusetts PFAS Lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact Attorney Tracy Paulsen and her team of Westfield PFAS Attorneys at Rightful Legal today.
We do not want you to miss your only opportunity to receive justice for the harm you have suffered. CALL 617-821-7871
Those who file lawsuits may be able to recover PFAS-related damages, including but not limited to:
We know some Westfield residents have already suffered the loss of a loved one to a PFAS-related illness at the hands of a polluting manufacturer. While nothing can ever undo this injustice, our experienced, compassionate Westfield PFAS Water Contamination Attorneys may be able to help you pursue a wrongful death lawsuit to protect your future and your family.
Lawsuits related to PFAS contamination aim to hold polluting manufacturers responsible for releasing these harmful “forever chemicals” into drinking water, which has led to individuals in the area developing cancer and other severe health issues. Rightful Legal is already advocating for Westfield residents who have faced PFAS drinking water exposure and are now dealing with serious illnesses, including cancer, as a result of this exposure.
A growing multi-district litigation (MDL) case, centered on PFAS contamination in drinking water across the U.S., has already incorporated over 1,000 additional cases in 2024 alone. Known as In Re Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Product Liability Litigation (D.S.C., No. 2:18-mn-02873), this MDL is addressing claims against PFAS manufacturers. Some settlements have reached substantial amounts, including a $312.5 million agreement to compensate victims harmed by PFAS pollution.
If you’ve experienced health problems from drinking PFAS-contaminated water in Westfield, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Don’t rely on PFAS manufacturers and suppliers to take responsibility or try to navigate this complex PFAS litigation process alone. Our experienced Massachusetts Water Contamination PFAS Attorneys at Rightful Legal are here to help. We’ll evaluate your case, gather evidence, calculate your losses, handle all legal filings, negotiate a fair settlement, and, if necessary, fight for you in court.
Time is critical. If you or a loved one suffered PFAS-related health effects after drinking contaminated water in Westfield, Contact Us Today for a free consultation.
Don’t Wait, Act Now to Protect your Rights and your Future!