The center of this map from March shows concentrations of PFOA in parts per trillion (ppt) near the focal point by the former Chemfab plant, near the Bennington College campus. The state considers wells above 20 ppt to be contaminated. State of Vermont map.
Vermont Business Magazine Bennington area residents and local Vermont attorneys have filed suit against Saint- Gobain for the effects of Saint-Gobain’s contamination of their land and drinking water with hazardous PFOA. “Our properties are contaminated, and we and our families have been drinking contaminated water for years due to Saint-Gobain’s releases of hazardous PFOA into our community,” said Jim Sullivan, a representative of the plaintiffs. “Saint-Gobain needs to address these harms and losses, and we have filed this case to insure that the company responds to our needs.”
“Local attorneys representing Bennington residents are bringing these claims to Saint- Gobain and starting the process of resolving them,” said David Silver, a Bennington attorney who is part of the legal team representing the residents. “We support the ongoing dialogue between the State and Saint-Gobain, and our goals are to extend that dialogue to address the additional harms to residents,” added Emily Joselson, a Middlebury attorney and another member of the legal team. “Vermont has a long tradition of cooperation between State enforcement and private litigation to address the full range of environmental harms. If Saint- Gobain means what it has said about continuing to work with the State and with these residents, we welcome those conversations.”
Bennington residents justifiably are concerned about Saint-Gobain’s legal challenge to the Vermont groundwater standard for PFOA and its ongoing denial of the health impacts of PFOA, noted Patrick Bernal, another Bennington attorney. “Denying the health and other impacts of this highly toxic substance is not responsive to the people of Bennington,” Bernal said.
Having local attorneys working with Bennington residents ensures that their rights will be addressed, and that Vermont law will be enforced as the process of responding to the extensive PFOA contamination proceeds. “Saint-Gobain is being advised by excellent attorneys; we’re ensuring local, high-quality representation for the citizens of Bennington as well,” said Silver.