Read the full article by Brian Lawson & Chelsea Brentzel
“LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ala — The West Morgan-East Lawrence water authority is asking Gov. Kay Ivey and Attorney General Steve Marshall to join in its lawsuit against 3M, seeking millions of dollars for drinking water cleanup.
WHNT News 19’s investigation into the issue has found ailing residents in Lawrence County are worried state officials are ignoring their plight.
The letter sent Friday by the authority argues that 3M, which has a plant in Decatur, has polluted the Tennessee River with the chemicals PFOA and PFOS which were used in Scotchgard and other products. The chemicals have been linked by researchers to a number of health effects.
The authority points out that Minnesota sued 3M and won an $850 million settlement, but Alabama hasn’t taken similar action.