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Boston PFAS Water Contamination Lawsuit
Boston PFAS Contamination Attorney Tracy Paulsen of Rightful Legal is passionate about ensuring Massachusetts residents have access to clean, safe drinking water. Through the Massachusetts PFAS Water Contamination Lawsuit, Attorney Paulsen represents individuals harmed by PFAS exposure from drinking water.
Massachusetts residents are being faced with a serious crisis: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in their drinking water. These toxic chemicals have seeped into aquifers, tainting water supplies across our state. For years, the people of Massachusetts trusted the safety of their drinking water, only to discover it could be causing severe, life-threatening illnesses.
Boston PFAS Drinking Water Lawyer Tracy Paulsen is on a mission to hold corporations and manufacturers accountable for introducing these dangerous substances into the state’s water systems, seeking justice for those harmed by PFAS.
If you or someone you know has suffered health problems linked to PFAS-contaminated water, you may have the right to pursue compensation for conditions like:
- Kidney cancer,
- Testicular cancer,
- Liver cancer,
- Thyroid cancer, or
- Ulcerative colitis
Protecting clean water and public health is at the heart of Attorney Paulsen’s work, and she remains steadfast in her commitment to defending the rights of Massachusetts communities against polluters.
Attorney Paulsen provides every client with dedicated, individual support. She and her team evaluate claims for eligibility, explain the legal process in terms that are easy to understand, and help clients understand the potential value of their cases. From the first consultation to case resolution, the Rightful Legal team is focused on securing just compensation for victims of PFAS drinking water exposure.
Reach out to Attorney Paulsen at Rightful Legal today for your Free Consultation. Call Boston PFAS Attorney Paulsen Directly at 617-821-5856 or Tell Us your Story Here.
History of PFAS Contamination in Boston and Surrounding Communities
Boston, one of the oldest cities in the United States, founded in 1630 by Puritan settlers from England, is not immune to the effects of PFAS or “forever chemicals”. PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment and in the human body, have been a growing concern in Boston, Massachusetts, and its surrounding areas like PFAS contamination in Cambridge Massachusetts. These synthetic chemicals have been used since the 1950s in various consumer products, including non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foams. Their widespread use has led to environmental contamination, particularly in water sources.
PFAS contamination in the water supply around Boston, MA, likely stems from multiple sources, reflecting repeated use of these chemicals over decades.
- One significant contributor is the historical use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams, particularly at airports, military bases, and training facilities. These foams, designed for extinguishing fuel fires, can leach into groundwater and nearby water bodies.
- Additionally, industrial facilities in Massachusetts that manufactured or processed PFAS-containing products, such as textiles, nonstick coatings, and electronics, may have discharged PFAS into local waterways.
- Landfills and wastewater treatment plants also serve as secondary sources of contamination, as PFAS from consumer goods and industrial waste can leach into the environment. Over time, these persistent chemicals infiltrate aquifers and reservoirs, impacting drinking water supplies in the region.
Testing across Massachusetts has revealed that a significant number of water systems have detected PFAS concentrations exceeding the regulatory PFAS limits set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). As of 2023, approximately 170 water systems in Massachusetts had reported PFAS levels above the legal limit. This widespread contamination has prompted municipalities to take corrective actions, such as installing treatment systems to remove PFAS from the water supply.
In the Boston area, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), which supplies water to the city and several surrounding communities, has conducted extensive testing for PFAS. Results have shown that PFAS levels in MWRA’s source water, primarily the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs, are below detectable limits and within the state’s safety standards.
Despite the relatively low levels of PFAS in Boston’s water supply, the state continues to monitor and address contamination in other areas. The Massachusetts PFAS and Your Health Study, led by the Silent Spring Institute, is investigating the relationship between PFAS exposure and health outcomes in affected communities. This research aims to provide a better understanding of the potential health risks associated with PFAS and inform future regulatory actions.
Although Boston Drinking Water appears to be under the State and Federal Environmental PFAS Maximum Contaminant Levels, Surrounding Massachusetts Communities are Not and Have High and Dangerous Levels of PFAS. It’s important to note that No Amount of PFAS is Considered Safe for Human Exposure.
In April 2021, Massachusetts introduced regulations for PFAS, setting the current maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 20 parts per trillion (ppt) for six specific PFAS compounds. That same month, MWRA began mandatory sampling. Current testing shows zero ppt of PFAS in the MWRA water supply.
Historical levels of PFAS possibly found in Boston and the surrounding areas could still be harming residents. Residents with previous exposure could still be discovering their injuries much later than initial exposure.
Some Boston Neighboring Cities with PFAS Levels Exceeding the State and National PFAS Contamination Levels for Drinking Water:
- Woburn Massachusetts drinking water has tested at 33.9 ppt of PFAS.
- Cambridge Massachusetts drinking water has tested at 26 ppt of PFAS.
- Wakefield Massachusetts drinking water has tested at 25.3 pp of PFAS, and
- Burlington Massachusetts drinking water has tested at 71.8 ppt of PFAS.
The EPA had previously addressed PFAS concerns in its 2016 Health Advisory, which set a combined lifetime advisory limit of 70 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, two of the most studied PFAS chemicals. While non-regulatory, the advisory highlighted potential health risks of prolonged exposure, including developmental issues, thyroid problems, immune system effects, elevated cholesterol, and cancer. It also recommended testing and mitigation measures, especially for vulnerable groups.
In response to increasing awareness of how dangerous PFAS is to human health, the EPA proposed enforceable MCLs for drinking water in March 2023. These regulations included a stringent 4 ppt limit for both PFOA and PFOS. In April 2024, the EPA finalized new rules under the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR). These rules reinforced the 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS and set a Hazard Index of 1 for mixtures of other PFAS compounds, such as PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS.
If you are concerned Boston PFAS-contaminated drinking water has harmed you, Rightful Legal offers a free and confidential initial consultation for those harmed by PFAS in the drinking water of Cambridge and the surrounding areas.
Call Now to Discuss Your Case and Understand Your Legal Options: 617-821-5856.
Are You Eligible for the Boston PFAS Lawsuit?
You could be eligible to bring a PFAS-related legal claim if:
- You or someone you love drank PFAS-contaminated drinking water in the surrounding areas of Boston, including Cambridge, for at least 6 months since 1990, AND
- You or someone you love has been diagnosed since the year 2000 with
- Kidney cancer,
- Liver cancer,
- Thyroid cancer,
- Testicular cancer, or
- Ulcerative colitis.
You could be eligible to bring a wrongful death lawsuit if you have lost someone to one of the diseases listed above.
Massachusetts PFAS Water Contamination Attorney Tracy Paulsen Explains a Few of the Injuries One may Suffer from PFAS Exposure
What is Ulcerative Colitis?
- Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum. This inflammation can lead to symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss, blood or mucus in their stool.
- The symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis can be life altering affecting your job, daily activities, daily enjoyment of life and affect your personal relationships and mental and physical health.
- Ulcerative Colitis is a debilitating life-long chronic disease with no known cure.
- The exact cause of Ulcerative Colitis is not fully understood, but there is a strong link to PFAS exposure.
- While there’s no cure for Ulcerative Colitis, treatments like medications, dietary changes, and sometimes surgery can help manage the symptoms.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Ulcerative Colitis are not the same condition.
- IBS is a functional disorder, which means it affects how the digestive system works but doesn’t cause visible damage to the intestines. Symptoms of IBS often include stomach cramps, bloating, and changes in bowel habits, like diarrhea or constipation. Unlike Ulcerative Colitis, IBS doesn’t cause inflammation or ulcers in the colon, and it doesn’t increase the risk of serious complications like colon cancer.
- The biggest difference between the two is that Ulcerative Colitis is a disease with physical damage to the colon, while IBS affects how the gut functions without causing lasting harm. Ulcerative Colitis requires medical treatment to control inflammation and frequent continued testing like frequent colonoscopies to prevent complications, while IBS is often managed by lifestyle changes, stress reduction, and sometimes medication.
How does PFAS cause Ulcerative Colitis?
PFAS exposure has been shown to affect the immune system, potentially triggering chronic inflammatory conditions like ulcerative colitis. These chemicals can alter gut microbiota and immune responses, leading to persistent inflammation in the colon. Over time, this inflammation can cause damage to the colon’s lining, resulting in the symptoms and complications of Ulcerative Colitis.
How does PFAS cause Kidney Cancer, Liver Cancer, Thyroid Cancer, and Testicular Cancer?
Liver Cancer
PFAS exposure has been linked to liver cancer due to the chemicals’ ability to accumulate in the liver and disrupt its normal functions. PFAS can interfere with lipid metabolism, oxidative stress pathways, and inflammation, leading to cellular damage and mutations in liver cells. Over time, this damage increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer.
Thyroid Cancer
PFAS may contribute to thyroid cancer by interfering with thyroid hormone regulation. These chemicals mimic or disrupt hormonal signaling, leading to abnormal growth of thyroid cells. Prolonged exposure to PFAS can cause thyroid gland inflammation and changes in hormone production, which are associated with an increased risk of developing malignant tumors in the thyroid.
Suffolk County has reported a thyroid cancer incidence rate of 16.4 per 100,000 people.
This is the fastest-increasing cancer among both men and women in the U.S. Treatment is available at Boston healthcare leaders like the Thyroid Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Kidney Cancer
The kidneys, which filter blood and excrete waste, are particularly vulnerable to PFAS accumulation. PFAS exposure has been associated with kidney cancer due to its role in inducing oxidative stress and DNA damage in kidney cells. Long-term exposure can impair kidney function, leading to an increased risk of renal cell carcinoma, a common type of kidney cancer.
Suffolk County has reported a kidney and renal pelvis cancer rate of 14.9 per 100,000 people. Boston healthcare providers at the Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center offer cutting-edge treatment for hundreds of new kidney cancer patients each year.
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer has been linked to PFAS exposure, especially in occupational settings or communities with contaminated water supplies. PFAS can disrupt endocrine functions and alter hormone levels, affecting the development of testicular cells. This disruption may increase the likelihood of germ cell mutations, which are commonly associated with testicular cancer.
Local Boston providers like the Testicular Cancer Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center offer leading treatment options for patients suffering testicular cancer.
What Compensation can be Claimed in a PFAS Lawsuit?
The Type of Compensation PFAS Victims may Obtain include:
- Past and future lost wages,
- Past and future medical expenses,
- Pain and suffering, and
- Potential punitive damages.
What can You Do If You Have Been Harmed by PFAS in Boston Drinking Water?
Contact the Massachusetts PFAS Drinking Water Contamination Attorneys at Rightful Legal Today
Call or Text Attorney Paulsen Directly At 617-821-5856
Proving that you were harmed by drinking water contaminated with PFAS is challenging. It is necessary to show a causal connection between your illness and your PFAS exposure, which requires diving into the science of PFAS and its effects on the human body.
Attorney Tracy Paulsen has a background in Environmental Science and Environmental Law, earned her Bachelors from the University of Virginia and her JD from Suffolk University Law School. She and her team bring a great deal of expertise, experience and passion to fighting for your right to drink safe uncontaminated water and the compensation you deserve.
Polluting manufacturers fight hard to escape responsibility. Tracy Paulsen of Rightful Legal and her team are passionate about fighting for you and holding polluters accountable for the harm they have caused you and your loved ones.
Why Should You Contact Rightful Legal?
There is No Cost to You Unless You Win
Attorney Paulsen understands the science behind PFAS injuries and is dedicated to environmental justice and advocacy. With over 15 years of experience in environmental law and mass torts, Boston PFAS Lawsuit Attorney Tracy Paulsen will Fight for Your Rights against the PFAS manufacturers. As a Boston PFAS Exposure Lawyer, Attorney Paulsen has worked previously for the polluting manufacturer so she understands firsthand that they are not on your side. She now works only For The People harmed by PFAS, protecting their legal rights.
How much Time do You Have to Join the Boston PFAS Lawsuit?
If you are eligible, it is crucial that you contact us quickly. Massachusetts provides claimants only 3 years to file their PFAS personal injury claims. When the time begins to start depends upon the unique circumstances of your case. Therefore it is imperative to contact a Cambridge PFAS Lawyer Today.
Because PFAS remain in the human body for long periods of time and increase in concentration with continued exposure, your PFAS exposure could have happened many years before an injury is discovered.
It is important to contact an experienced and compassionate Boston PFAS Water Contamination Attorney today so that you do not run out of time to make your claim. Our Boston Personal Injury Lawyers at Rightful Legal can help calculate the date of your PFAS injury and ensure you do not miss your opportunity.
How can You Contact the Boston PFAS Lawsuit Lawyers at Rightful Legal?
Tell Us Your Story Today By Clicking Here or Call PFAS Lawyer Paulsen Directly at 617-821-5856.
