Sierra Club Warns of PFAS Chemical Exposure in Tennessee Water Supply

Local Environmental Group Highlights Risks from Common Household Items

The Sierra Club’s Cherokee Group raised alarms about PFAS chemical contamination in Chattanooga’s food and water supplies during their presentation on January 28, 2025. A Georgia-based environmental lawyer, Nick Jackson, detailed how these synthetic chemicals penetrate daily life through everyday products like nonstick cookware and food packaging. The presentation focused on Northwest Georgia’s elevated risk due to historical carpet manufacturing practices. Local environmental advocates called for immediate regulatory action to address the contamination.

5 Key Points

• PFAS chemicals resist environmental breakdown and accumulate in human tissue.
• Nonstick cookware, firefighting foam, and pizza boxes contain PFAS compounds.
• Northwest Georgia faces heightened risk due to its carpet manufacturing history.
• Sierra Club’s Cherokee Group leads local awareness campaign.
• Environmental advocates push for new regulatory measures.

PFAS Chemicals Found in Daily Household Items

The Sierra Club’s January 28 presentation revealed how PFAS contamination extends beyond industrial sources into Chattanooga homes. Dave Hoot, Sierra Club Cherokee Group Chairperson, described his direct contact with these chemicals. “I know I’ve been exposed to PFAS. I’ve used nonstick cookware in the past and been near firefighting foam, even as a bystander,” Hoot said. Georgia-based lawyer Nick Jackson identified specific products containing PFAS, including Teflon-coated pans and Scotchgard-treated carpets, which many residents use daily. The chemicals’ presence in pizza boxes and water bottles prompted Jackson to advise residents about personal protection measures. “Maybe I should have a filtration system. Maybe I should think twice about drinking this bottle of water that might contain PFAS or eating from a pizza box that has it,” Jackson said.

Get a free legal case review today

Did you develop any of the following injuries after being exposed to Fire Fighting Foam (AFFF)? * Choose one Ulcerative Colitis Kidney Cancer Pancreatic Cancer Testicular Cancer Prostate Cancer Bladder Cancer Thyroid Disease Liver Cancer Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma None of the above Were you exposed to Fire Fighting Foam (AFFF)? *

YesNo

Which medication(s) did you take during your pregnancy? * Choose one Tylenol Acetaminophen Alka-Seltzer Coricidin Dayquil Excedrin FluTherapy Midol Mucinex Nyquil Panadol Robitussin Sinex Sudafed Theraflu Other Medication(s) Was your child diagnosed with Autism, ADHD or another condition? * Choose one Autism/Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Asperger’s Syndrome Kanner’s Syndrome Childhood Disintegrative Disorder Pervasive Developmental Disorder Other Medical Condition How old was your child at the time of diagnosis? *

Under 18 years old18+ years old

Did the accident occur within the last 2 years? *

YesNo

First Name *

Last Name *

Email Address *

ZIP Code *

Phone Number *

What is your case type? * Choose one -------------------- Asbestos Baby Formula Camp Lejeune Clergy Abuse CPAP Elmiron Exactech Firefighting Foam FTX Exchange Hair Relaxer Hernia Mesh Paraquat PFAS Roundup Sex Abuse Social Media Talcum Powder Tepezza Tylenol -------------------- Birth Injury Car Accident FELA Medical Malpractice Motorcycle Accident Slip and Fall Trucking Accident Uber & Lyft Rideshare Workplace Injury Weight Loss Wrongful Death -------------------- Something Else

Human Verification *

I understand and agree that (a) submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship, (b) I am not already represented by an attorney for this matter, (c) the information I submit will be shared with a law firm, and (d) I have read and accepted the terms and conditions of the Privacy Policy, Terms of Service and Legal Disclaimer. Further, I consent to being contacted by a law firm or its agent after submitting this request.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Carpet Industry Left PFAS Legacy in Northwest Georgia

Northwest Georgia’s carpet manufacturing plants used PFAS extensively in their production processes, creating concentrated contamination zones near Chattanooga. Nick Jackson presented evidence of PFAS contamination from industrial materials used in carpet manufacturing throughout the region. The PFAS Georgia team documented these chemicals in local water sources, linking them directly to past manufacturing practices. The team’s findings showed how carpet production sites created long-term contamination zones affecting local water supplies.

Sierra Club Demands New PFAS Regulations

The Sierra Club and PFAS Georgia team launched a campaign on January 28 to strengthen PFAS regulations in Tennessee and Georgia. “Something needs to be done about them right now,” a campaign advocate told attendees at the Chattanooga presentation. The organizations outlined specific regulatory changes needed to address PFAS contamination, including stricter monitoring of water supplies and enhanced filtering requirements. The Cherokee Group of the Sierra Club announced plans to hold monthly public education sessions about PFAS risks while pursuing policy changes at both state and local levels.