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Attleboro Massachusetts PFAS Lawsuit
Attleboro PFAS Water Contamination Lawsuit
Throughout Massachusetts, communities are facing an urgent problem:
- Their drinking water has been polluted with PFAS, a class of harmful “forever chemicals” that have leached into aquifers across the state.
- For years, residents trusted that their water was safe to drink, only to learn that it may have been the source of devastating and potentially fatal illnesses.
Attleboro PFAS Lawyer Tracy Paulsen Can Advise if you are Eligible for the PFAS Lawsuit. Call Today at 617-821-5856
Attorney Tracy Paulsen is resolute in her stance that everyone deserves access to clean, safe drinking water. She is dedicated to representing individuals harmed by PFAS contamination through the Massachusetts PFAS Water Contamination Lawsuit. Her life’s mission is to seek justice by holding corporations and manufacturers accountable for allowing these toxic substances to infiltrate Massachusetts water systems.
Why Rightful Legal is the right PFAS firm for your case:
- Personalized attention and expertise
- They are with you ever step of the way and always available for any questions
- You will understand the process and know your case through and through
- They will fight for Justice and Compensation for the harm you have suffered from PFAS exposure.
If you or someone close to you has developed health complications linked to PFAS-contaminated drinking water, you may have the right to pursue financial recovery for conditions such as:
- Kidney Cancer
- Testicular Cancer
- Ulcerative Colitis
Protecting clean water and ensuring a healthy environment have always been central to Attorney Tracy Paulsen’s legal career. She is driven by a passion for holding polluters accountable and is committed to defending the rights and health of Massachusetts residents and their communities.
Most importantly, the Attleboro Water Contamination Attorney at Rightful Legal will Fight for Your Rights to get you the Compensation you Deserve.
There are No Fees Unless You Win. Call or Text Rightful Legal at 617-821-5856
PFAS Drinking Water Contamination in Attleboro, Massachusetts
What are PFAS?
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals used in various industrial and consumer products for their resistance to heat, water, and oil. However, their persistence in the environment and potential health risks have become a significant concern.
Where did it come from in Attleboro?
- In Attleboro, Massachusetts, PFAS contamination in the drinking water supply has been detected. The exact sources of this contamination are not fully known, but potential contributors include industrial sites, landfills, and the use of firefighting foams. The Attleboro Water Department has stated that the PFAS in the water supply is the result of pollution sources beyond their control.
What is Attleboro doing about PFAS Drinking Water Contamination?
- To address the contamination, the Attleboro Water Department is constructing a temporary PFAS removal facility at the Wading River Plant, expected to be operational by early 2025. This facility aims to treat up to one million gallons of water per day, ensuring it meets or exceeds regulatory standards for PFAS levels. In the interim, the department is producing only the necessary amount of water to meet demand and is recommending bottled water to sensitive subgroups concerned about PFAS exposure.
- The situation in Attleboro reflects a broader issue affecting many communities in Massachusetts and across the United States, where PFAS contamination has been detected in numerous water supplies. Ongoing efforts at local, state, and federal levels aim to address this issue through regulation, remediation, and public awareness.
How much PFAS is in Attleboro Drinking Water and is the water Safe to Drink?
- Regular testing of Attleboro’s water supply has been conducted to monitor PFAS levels.
- April 2021, Massachusetts began regulating PFAS compounds, setting an enforceable limit of 20 nanograms parts per trillion (PPT) for six specific PFAS compounds.
- April 2021, Attleboro Testing Revealed the PFAS levels far Exceed the State and Federal levels for PFAS:
- 34 PPT of 6 PFAS compounds (far above 20 PPT for MA and 4 PPT by the US Environmental Protection Agency)
What did Attleboro Do to Treat the Water?
- The Wading River Plant has reported PFAS levels exceeding this limit, prompting the implementation of treatment solutions. Conversely, the West Street Plant currently meets the PFAS levels required by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.
Federal EPA PFAS limits set: No Amount is Considered Safe
In 2016, the EPA issued an advisory on PFAS in drinking water. The 2016 EPA Health Advisory for PFAS provided guidance on the potential health effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. Specifically, the advisory addressed two of the most studied PFAS compounds, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS).
Key points of the Advisory included:
- Lifetime Health Advisory Level: The EPA set a combined health advisory limit for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water at 70 parts ppt. This level was based on the assumption that exposure occurs over a lifetime and includes other sources of PFAS, such as food and air.
- Health Concerns: The advisory noted that long-term exposure to PFOA and PFOS above the recommended levels could lead to adverse health effects, including developmental issues in fetuses and infants, cancer risks, immune system impacts, thyroid dysfunction, and elevated cholesterol levels.
- Non-Regulatory Guidance: The health advisory is not an enforceable regulation but rather a recommendation to assist states, municipalities, and water suppliers in addressing PFAS contamination.
- Action Steps: The EPA encouraged proactive testing and treatment of water supplies to reduce PFAS exposure, especially for sensitive populations like pregnant women and infants.
The 2016 EPA advisory was non-enforceable but served as guidance for water systems nationwide.
In response to growing concerns over PFAS contamination, the EPA took a major step in March 2023 by proposing new regulations to establish enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). These proposed rules set stringent limits of 4 parts ppt for PFOA and PFOS, two of the most common and harmful PFAS compounds.
In April 2024, the EPA finalized the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for five PFAS compounds.
New Federal Limit: No More than 4 PPT of PFAS is Considered Safe in Any US Drinking Water Supply
Specifically, this rule set enforceable limits of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS while introducing a Hazard Index of 1 for mixtures of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS. These regulations mark a significant shift from the 2016 advisory, which had a higher threshold of 70 ppt for PFOA and PFOS combined. The updated standards reflect a deeper understanding of PFAS toxicity and the urgent need for stricter protections for public health.
PFAS in Attleboro in 2024
Despite knowing that the Attleboro Drinking Water is contaminated with PFAS far above the State Limits for PFAS and grossly far above the Federal limits for PFAS, in August 2024, Attleboro announced that it would resume use of the Wading River plant in order to supply enough water to the town. Attleboro made this decision in spite of the fact that PFAS levels had not been remedied and were expected to continue to exceed the levels set by MassDEP and EPA.
Even if the Drinking Water is Free of PFAS in Attleboro, Residents are Still at Risk
It is important to remember that even once Attleboro drinking water is decontaminated, if you were drinking contaminated water for even 6 months since 1990, you are at risk of serious illness. PFAS remains in the human body, building up over time and increasing your risk. The more contaminated Attleboro drinking water you have consumed in your life, the more danger your health is in.
Rightful Legal offers a Free Consultation for those harmed by PFAS in Attleboro, MA Drinking Water. Call us today to discuss your case and discuss what your options are moving forward: 617-821-5856.
Contact Rightful Legal, a Massachusetts PFAS Drinking Water Contamination Attorney Today
- Did you or a loved one drink Attleboro, MA water contaminated with PFAS for at least six months since 1990?
- Were you diagnosed with kidney cancer, testicular cancer, or ulcerative colitis since 2000?
- If the answer to both these questions is Yes, you could be eligible for significant compensation from polluting manufacturers.
- If you have lost a family member to one of these illnesses, you could be eligible to bring a wrongful death lawsuit.
If the circumstances above apply to you, having an experienced PFAS drinking water contamination attorney in Attleboro on your team is essential. Proving your case that you were harmed by drinking water contaminated with PFAS is complex. Polluting manufacturers are known to fight dirty in order to escape responsibility. Attorney Tracy Paulsen of Rightful Legal and her team of Attleboro Personal Injury Lawyers are passionate about holding PFAS contaminators accountable for the harm they have caused to innocent people.
If you are eligible, it is important that you act quickly. Massachusetts allows just 3 years to file any PFAS personal injury claim. Determining the Statute of Limitations on your particular case is complex, so don’t wait, Reach Out to Rightful Legal Today.
Call or Text Attorney Paulsen Directly at 617-821-5856 or Tell Us Your Story Online and we will follow up with You.
