About the Case

Plaintiffs allege W.L. Gore & Associates’ use of PFAS chemicals at its Cherry Hill Plant in Elkton, Md., contaminated the groundwater, surface water, soil and air in surrounding areas.

If you live or work near the Cherry Hill Plant and are experiencing health symptoms that you believe may be related to the contamination, we encourage you to immediately see a healthcare professional.

The Dangers of PFAS Exposure

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals commonly found in products that resist sticking, heat, water, stains, and grease, such as stain-resistant and water-repellent fabrics. Due to their unique chemical structures, PFAS are highly mobile in the environment, do not breakdown easily in the environment or human body, and can accumulate in the body over time due to exposure.

Scientific studies have shown that exposure to certain PFAS compounds may be linked to numerous health problems, such as:

  • Cancer: Testicular, kidney

  • Elevated liver enzymes

  • Low birth weights

  • Pregnancy-induced hypertension

  • Thyroid Disease

  • Ulcerative colitis

Exposure to PFAS can occur through consumption of contaminated food or water, inhalation through air, or in some instances, by skin exposure. While there are thousands of chemicals within the PFAS family, the two most commonly used and studied PFAS are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS).

On June 15, 2022, the EPA announced new interim lifetime health advisory levels (HAL) for some PFAS chemicals in drinking water.  While the new HALs are not enforceable federal regulatory standards, the lower limits indicate EPA’s acknowledgement of the dangers these chemicals pose to human health. 

Gore & Associates’ Use of PFAS Chemicals

Gore built its Cherry Hill plant in 1972 and its manufacturing processes utilized PTFE, a subtype of PFAS that is commonly known by the brand name Teflon®. In 1980, the Cherry Hill plant also began using APFO aqueous dispersions and PTFE powders to make ePTFE films and other consumer products. APFO is the ammonium salt of PFOA and is highly soluble in water.

As a result of Gore’s use of these chemicals in its manufacturing activities, PFOA and/or APFO were allegedly released from stacks at the Cherry Hill plant, serving as a point source for air contamination in the surrounding area. Plaintiffs allege the APFO particles deposited on surrounding land and dissolved in water sources, forming PFOA that migrated through the environment and contaminated potential drinking water sources.

In June 2022, the EPA reduced the lifetime drinking water health advisory limit for PFOA from 70 parts per trillion (“ppt”) to .004ppt. Many wells tested in the area have tested above the current health advisory limit of 0.004 ppt for PFOA, with numerous wells reaching levels above 100 ppt.

Our Priorities

1. Find a permanent solution
Figuring out a permanent solution is key to prevent further contamination and exposure. Cleaning up the problem long-term is necessary.

2. Establish a medical surveillance program
Monitoring the health and well-being of the community is of upmost importance. If anyone has been affected by the PFAS that W.L. Gore has emitted, it needs to be medically examined.

3. Obtain monetary damages 
Those whose health, way of life, and economic interests have been hurt as a result of W.L. Gore deserve to be recognized and compensated.

This information is provided by co-counsel Philip C. Federico (licensed in MD) and Chase T. Brockstedt (licensed in DE) of Baird Mandalas Brockstedt Federico LLC and John E. Herrick (licensed in MD, SC) and T. David Hoyle (licensed in DC, FL, GA, SC) of Motley Rice LLC.