John,

Dangerous lab-made chemicals called PFAS are found in a range of household items such as nonstick pans, food packaging and stain-resistant fabrics, and have been linked to health issues including thyroid disease and cancer.

The corporations that produce these chemicals knew about the dangers of PFAS for decades and suppressed reports about the associated health risks.

3M, which first developed and sold PFOS and PFOA (two types of PFAS compounds), knew for more than 40 years that these chemicals accumulate in people’s blood. And, 3M seems to have modified its own research to make these chemicals appear safer than they were.¹

Demand that Congress hold these corporations responsible and take strong action on the public health threat from these toxic chemicals.

PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” because they stay in the soil and water for long periods of time — and they are also resistant to many treatment technologies.² PFAS contamination has been found in hundreds of communities, and millions of Americans may have PFAS in their drinking water.^3,4

Congress has announced a hearing on what companies knew about PFAS risks and the lengths they went to to keep these risks hidden. This is a good step, but we need Congress to take ACTION to protect us.

Together we can fight like we live here and push back against corporations that choose profit over our health and safety. Join our sister organization, Food & Water Action, and a coalition of other groups demanding that Congress regulate PFAS and hold these companies responsible.

Onward together,


Wenonah Hauter
Founder and Executive Director
Food & Water Watch and Food & Water Action

P.S. Learn more about PFAS chemical contamination with our fact sheet.

1. 3M Knew About the Dangers of PFOA and PFOS Decades Ago, Internal Documents Show, The Intercept, July 31, 2018.
2. These Chemicals Are Forever: Water Contamination From PFOA, PFOS and other PFASs, Food & Water Watch, February 2019.
3. Mapping the PFAS Contamination Crisis: New Data Show 610 Sites in 43 States, Environmental Working Group, May 6, 2019.
4. Report: Up to 110 Million Americans Could Have PFAS-Contaminated Drinking Water, Environmental Working Group, May 22, 2018.