New Jersey Resident Links PFAS Exposure to Kidney Cancer in Federal Lawsuit

Chemical Giants Face Legal Challenge Over Water Contamination

A 77-year-old West Orange resident filed a federal lawsuit against major chemical manufacturers, including 3M, DuPont, and Chemours, alleging their PFAS-containing products caused her kidney cancer. Marcia Feldman and her husband, Elihu, filed the complaint in U.S. District Court on November 20, 2024, citing negligence and defective product design. The lawsuit targets more than 20 defendants for their role in contaminating drinking water with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The case joins a growing wave of litigation against chemical manufacturers over PFAS-related health impacts.

5 Key Points

• West Orange resident Marcia Feldman received a kidney cancer diagnosis in November 2020 after years of exposure to PFAS-contaminated water.
• The lawsuit names over 20 defendants, including industry giants 3M, DuPont, Chemours, and Raytheon Technologies.
• Manufacturers allegedly knew about PFAS risks since the 1960s but continued production without adequate warnings.
• PFAS chemicals persist indefinitely in the environment and have been linked to cancer and other health complications.
• The case seeks accountability for both personal health impacts and broader environmental damage.

New Jersey Woman’s Cancer Diagnosis Sparks Federal PFAS Lawsuit

Marcia Feldman’s kidney cancer diagnosis in November 2020 launched her investigation into West Orange’s water supply contamination. The 77-year-old resident discovered her drinking water contained elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), prompting her federal lawsuit filed on November 20, 2024. Feldman and her husband targeted more than 20 chemical manufacturers, including 3M, DuPont, and Chemours, alleging these companies knowingly released toxic PFAS into the environment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed these “forever chemicals” appear in water, air, fish, and soil worldwide, with scientific studies linking PFAS exposure to various cancers and health complications.

Chemical Giants’ Six-Decade History with PFAS

The lawsuit alleges chemical manufacturers have known about PFAS risks since the 1960s through internal research and regulatory findings. These substances, used in products like aqueous film-forming foam, resist environmental breakdown and accumulate in the human body. The complaint explicitly targets companies, including 3M, DuPont, Chemours, and Raytheon Technologies, for manufacturing and distributing PFAS-containing products without adequate safety warnings. Despite having access to safer alternatives, these companies allegedly continued producing PFAS-based products, prioritizing profit over public safety. When contacted about the allegations, representatives from the named companies did not respond to requests for comment.

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Physical and Emotional Toll on West Orange Family

Marcia Feldman’s kidney cancer required extensive medical treatment following her 2020 diagnosis. The lawsuit details how PFAS chemicals remain present in her body, creating ongoing health risks and complications. “Marcia Feldman has endured tremendous physical and emotional suffering,” the complaint states, highlighting the devastating impact on her daily life. Her husband, Elihu Feldman, 76, joined as a co-plaintiff, describing how his wife’s illness has damaged their relationship and led to “loss of consortium and companionship.” The couple’s lawyers emphasize that standard municipal water treatment facilities cannot effectively filter out these chemicals, leaving residents unknowingly exposed to contamination.

Legal Team Targets Corporate Environmental Responsibility

Florida attorneys Madeline E. Pendley and J. Caleb Cunningham filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court, positioning it within a broader wave of PFAS litigation nationwide. Their complaint cites specific internal company research and regulatory findings linking PFAS to cancer, developmental issues, and immune system damage. “Municipal water treatment facilities are not equipped to filter out these chemicals,” the suit claims, highlighting how West Orange residents had no protection against contamination. The legal team aims to establish personal damages for the Feldmans and corporate accountability for environmental contamination, potentially setting precedents for similar cases across the country.