Last Updated: September 20th, 2016
NEWS UPDATE: On September 18, The Hannon Law Firm, LLC filed the first class action lawsuits seeking compensation for residents affected by the perfluorinated compound (PFC) groundwater contamination in Fountain, Security and Widefield. The lawsuits name as defendants 3M, Ansul, and National Foam, the manufacturers of AFFF, the firefighting foam used at Peterson Air Force Base that contained the PFCs. PFCs are known to be toxic and affect human health. One suit seeks damages for loss in property value, mitigation costs, water expenses, annoyance and discomfort and loss of use and enjoyment for residents who are supplied water from affected wells. The second suit seeks the costs to establish a medical monitoring program for the early detection of illness, disease processes and disease due to exposure to the contaminated water. Both cases were filed in Federal Court in Denver. The Hannon Law Firm, LLC in Denver is a Colorado firm that has been representing those affected by environmental contamination in Colorado and other states for over 25 years.
Class Action Complaint for Medical Monitoring and Demand for Jury Trial
Class Action Complaint for Property Related Damages and Demand for Jury Trial
Water Contamination Detected in South Colorado Springs Communities Security, Widefield and Fountain
Image via DenverPost.com
Colorado Springs, CO – Testing of water wells in the south Colorado Springs communities of Security, Widefield, and Fountain show contamination by toxic, synthetic PFCs (perfluorinated chemicals) PFCs–notably PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid)– are remarkably resilient, remaining viable in the environment for a long time and accumulating in human bodies, which are not able to break down the compounds.
A suspected source of the PFCs is firefighting foam used at Peterson Air Force Base.
Recent studies of the Security, Widefield and Fountain public water supplies show PFCs above EPA Health Advisories.
Scientific studies on animals and humans indicate exposure to PFCs may be associated with certain health risks including changes in liver and thyroid function, decreased kidney function, and occurrence of some types of cancers. State health officials recently reported elevated cancer rates in the southwest El Paso County.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry (CDC/ATSDR) published a draft Toxicological Profile in August 2015 which reviews and summarizes the studies on the health effects of PFCs.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment has published a map of the zones of PFC contamination.
Residents have asked where they can get their water tested for PFCs. One such laboratory is:
TestAmerica Denver
4955 Yarrow Street,
Arvada, CO 80002-4517
Phone: 303-736-0100
Fax: 303.431.7171
Another is:
Eurofins Environmental Testing
Denver Service Center,
1746 Cole Boulevard,
Lakewood, CO 80401
Phone: 720-491-1749
Fax: 303-278-0092
Residents have also asked about laboratories that provide blood lead testing for PFCs. Two such private labs are:
Vista Analytical Laboratory
Phone: 916-673-1520
Website: www.vista-analytical.com
NMS Laboratory
Phone: 866-522-2206
Website: http://www.nmslabs.com
We have no affiliation with these labs and cannot vouch for their reliability. You can also ask the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment to perform these tests.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has published treatment recommendations for PFCs.
Legal Claims Resulting From PFCs In Your Water
If your water has been contaminated by chemicals, you may have a claim against the responsible party for damages to your property or for increased health risks.
If you have been affected by the water contaminated with PFCs, our lawyers can advise you or your rights and remedies. We can be reached by phone at 303-861-8800, or by filling out the contact form below.
Experience With Environmental Litigation
The Hannon Law Firm LLC has represented numerous individuals and businesses in landmark cases for both personal injury and property damage resulting from toxic chemicals. The firm has pioneered groundbreaking approaches to protect and compensate its clients in trial courts and appeals courts. If you want to know more about the types of cases we can handle, or have in the past, please see our case results page.