Environmental issues are a passion for many of our section members because our health and well being are at stake. Our NYSBA EELS Section had a conference two years ago featuring Robert Bilott as a speaker on his pursuit of Dupont and Perfluoroaklyl substances (PFAs). This topic then remained our focus at several program; and Attorney Bilott’s efforts are now featured in the excellent movie Dark Waters. PFAs include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorosulfonic acid (PFOS) as part of a large class of widely used chemicals containing fluorine. Unfortunately, these toxic chemicals are now in our drinking water, our bodies, environment. Our section will continue to focus on drinking water quality, including at an upcoming program being planned on March 2, 2020.

PFAs are extremely resistant to environmental degradation, thus persisting in soil, water, food and dust. Drinking water has become a huge concern for communities because our water supplies are contaminated with PFAs. Human and animal studies have confirmed PFAs cause several cancers, developmental and early childhood problems, including low birthweight, liver effects, skeletal variations, thyroid abnormalities, ulcerative colitis, cholesterol changes, and testicular and kidney cancers. Effects on children further include effects on renal function, asthma, mammary gland development and menstruation.