Health Risks of PFAS Exposure
Scientific investigators around the world continue to explore the human health risks of PFAS. The chemical group PFAS includes reference to PFOS and PFOA chemicals. Dupont and 3M created PFAS chemicals and hold patents on their chemical composition. Although most research primarily concerns drinking water exposure, scientific investigations have turned to look at other exposures, […]
OxyContin Settlement Plan Analysis
The History Purdue Pharma’s aggressive marketing of OxyContin is often cited as a catalyst of a nationwide opioid epidemic. Oxycontin is a powerful prescription painkiller that hit the market in 1996. The company pleaded guilty to misbranding the drug in 2007 and paid more than $600 million in fines and penalties. Opioid-related overdose deaths have […]
California Bans Toxic Chemicals in Food
Last month, California became the first state to enact a law banning certain chemicals commonly found in processed food. The law does not ban food, but only the additives. The law urges manufacturers to use safer alternative ingredients. What chemicals are banned? The banned chemicals include brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propyl paraben, and Red […]
Evolution and Advancements in Firefighting Foams
In 1902, Russian engineer and chemist Aleksandr Loran spearheaded the development of the first firefighting foam. Loran’s innovative solution addressed the inefficiencies of water in combating oil and flammable liquid-based fires. NRL and 3M Collaboration in the 1960s Delving into the 1960s, the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) collaborated with the 3M Company to enhance firefighting […]
Active PFAS Laws on Wastewater and Sludge
The persistence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment and potential health risks have thrust these chemicals into the regulatory spotlight. As scientists delve deeper into the impact of PFAS, regulatory frameworks are evolving to address these concerns. PFAS-related laws focusing on wastewater and PFAS-containing sludge are emerging but remain rare. PFAS and […]
Taxotere Multidistrict Litigation Update
Since 2016, lawsuits involving Taxotere, a drug used to treat metastatic breast cancer, have been consolidated in a Multidistrict litigation (“MDL”) in Federal Court in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Judge Triche-Milazzo oversees the litigation. Who are the plaintiffs? Plaintiffs in the MDL are women who received Taxotere to treat breast cancer. As a result […]
Types of Damage Claims Filed in the AFFF Firefighting Foam MDL
Municipalities are filing distinct types of legal actions in the Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF) Products Liability Litigation MDL No. 2873. These legal actions all involve varied damage claims relating to PFAS chemicals. Generally, Plaintiffs claim that firefighting foams containing PFAS chemicals contaminated groundwater near various military bases, airports, and other industrial sites. This contamination damaged […]
Important Update: AFFF Municipal Water Claims
Greetings from Charleston! This is my report from the DuPont $1.3 billion public water service settlement hearing in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina. Judge Gergel will take the matter under advisement, and render a written decision. I feel there’s a good chance the settlement will ultimately be approved. A […]
Important Safety Notifications from the FDA
The Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”) oversees the regulation and safety of prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and medical devices. It also oversees the regulation and safety of many food items and cosmetic products. Below are recent notifications by the FDA concerning the safety of drugs and medical devices: Eye Drops The FDA issued a warning […]
Recent Food Recalls and Safety Notifications
Below is a list of recent food recalls and safety notifications. Oysters Future Seafoods. Inc recently issued a voluntary recall of certain oysters. The recall was initiated after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency tested a batch of oysters and found them to be contaminated with Salmonella and E. Coli. The recalled oysters were harvested around […]