CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - A plastics company says it’s evaluating two lawsuits alleging chemical contamination of private drinking water wells in New Hampshire.
The lawsuits were filed Wednesday and allege Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics knew or should’ve known the potentially cancer-causing chemical PFOA was dangerous and release of it was “willful” and “wanton.” The chemical is used in Teflon coatings.
The lawsuits seek a trial and compensation for water filtering systems and reductions in property values and enjoyment of properties. Litchfield resident Kevin Brown is the only plaintiff.
The chemical was first found in more than 50 wells in towns surrounding the Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics facility in Merrimack.
Laura Bredrossian, a Saint-Gobain spokeswoman, says the company “has been, and continues to be focused on providing clean drinking water to the residents of Merrimack, Litchfield and other towns within the 1.5-mile radius of our plant.”
She noted that Saint-Gobain is funding design efforts for a potential extension of public water service in the PFOA investigation area.
PFOA contamination is the subject of two other lawsuits filed against Saint-Gobain. In February, Honeywell International and Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics were sued in New York. Regulators identified them as potentially responsible for chemical contamination in Hoosick Falls’ water.
PFOA also has been found near Saint-Gobain’s now-shuttered plant in North Bennington, Vermont. A group of Bennington County residents filed a lawsuit against the company earlier this month, accusing it of negligence.
The company says it is evaluating the claims.
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