Those harmed by ‘forever chemicals’ have six years to sue in NH. Lawmakers want more time.

Read the full article by Claire Sullivan (New Hampshire Bulletin)

“Rep. Wendy Thomas and her family are among many in the area of a now-shuttered plastics manufacturer in southern New Hampshire affected by the harmful, synthetic chemicals it released. 

The Merrimack Democrat, who lives 3 miles from the Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics plant, which is now in the process of being demolished, said she has spent years drinking bottled water after learning her well water was contaminated by PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a class of chemicals linked to numerous health issues. Her family is one of more than 700 receiving bottled water from the company as part of its agreement with the state, she said.

Thomas has dealt with cancer that she attributes to 12 PFAS chemicals detected in her blood above the toxic limit for humans; her doctors tell her it’s not a matter of if, but when, her cancer returns, ‘because I have such high levels of PFAS in my blood.’ Her children, now adults, have autoimmune diseases, she said. And four of the family’s dogs have died of cancer.” …