Sadly, Ronneby’s story is, as 60 Minutes warned, just the opening act of a major environmental health disaster. This problem is related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS — aka “forever chemicals.” These man-made compounds are commonly used in industrial processes and manufacturing because of their water- and grease-proof properties. However, their persistence in the environment creates acute hazards to human health. Concerned citizens have joined with environmental advocates to launch an epic legal fight in return.
Herman Afzelius, one of the key campaigners in the Ronneby PFAS case, became involved after receiving a letter prompting him to undergo a blood test. The findings intensified his worry about potential contamination. “I instantly thought, OK, damn, this is really, really high,” Afzelius remarked. His fears aren’t just misplaced paranoia. Research has well documented that exposure to certain PFAS, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), increases the risk of cancer, including testicular cancer.
The lawsuit originally filed back in July 2016. It was a groundbreaking case with 165 individual plaintiffs who alleged that PFAS contamination has harmed their health through exposure in their water supply. Since then, the lives of those directly impacted have only increased — a significant portion of residents there say they feel like government officials have abandoned them. “The air was knocked out of us. We felt completely abandoned,” Afzelius expressed, highlighting the emotional toll the situation has taken on the community.
PFAS are well-known for their persistence. They don’t want to decompose and can stick around in the environment for several centuries. The number of known PFAS has grown to over 14,500, with more variations discovered every day. Their chemical structure includes hydrogen atoms attached to carbons being replaced with fluorine atoms. This substitution forms a covalent bond that is not susceptible to interference by it. This exceptional property is responsible for their persistence and bioaccumulation in the environment and in humans.
Beyond cancer risks, PFAS exposure has linked to a host of other health concerns, such as diabetes. AFFF has long been the preferred firefighting agent, particularly at Department of Defense sites. This foam is known to be treated with PFAS, greatly multiplying the potential for environmental contamination. Somewhat similar cases have recently arisen all over the world. Municipalities such as Korsør, Denmark, El Paso County, United States, and Saint-Louis, France, have all recently found widespread PFAS contamination.
In the United States, companies such as 3M are experiencing harsh punishment for their contributions to PFAS contamination. Recently, 3M agreed to pay up to $450 million to compensate individuals in New Jersey affected by its PFAS products. With justice, it was a class-action lawsuit against DuPont that produced the recent big win. They reached a $670 million settlement on contamination cases in West Virginia and Ohio.
Victims of the Ronneby community’s experience have led to grassroots advocacy that supports movements away from Sweden’s existing legal framework. Afzelius made an important point. Existing regulations can no longer provide concrete recompense for those who do have high levels of PFAS, except for through the proving of a diagnosed disease. “We’re not even part of their statistics,” he lamented.
As understanding around the health impacts of PFAS expands, advocates and researchers are calling for a more preventive approach. Christel Nielsen, an environmental health researcher, emphasized the need for more rigorous regulation. “There is no testing before chemicals are released on the market. We are basically chasing these new substances years after they’ve been put on the market.” She is a big proponent of targeting at-risk populations. “If we can get to young women before they’re having their first child,” she explains, “we can help prevent the harmful effects of these chemicals on future generations.”
Public sentiment surrounding PFAS contamination is filled with “a mix of worry, confusion and growing mistrust,” according to Afzelius. This concern, felt by so many Americans, is indicative of deeper concerns around environmental justice and public health. Meanwhile, affected communities are still wrestling with the long-term PFAS exposure already incurred.
Laura Facciolo, an advocate for environmental justice in Italy, expressed solidarity with those impacted by PFAS contamination in Ronneby: “I really hope Italian judges will take inspiration from this.” This problem knows no borders, so bringing together nations and encouraging global collaboration is key. We need to hold the manufacturers of these dangerous substances accountable.
