PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 10, 2025
The Portland City Council unanimously voted to join a lawsuit against developers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, on Monday night. PFAS are a class of synthetic chemicals that have been used in a multitude of products including firefighting foams, nonstick cookware and water-resistant fabrics for decades. They are sometimes called “forever chemicals,” because they do not break down easily in the environment and can accumulate in soil, water, and the human body. The decision to join the lawsuit makes Portland part of the multidistrict litigation over PFAS contamination, which consolidates hundreds of lawsuits against chemical manufacturers in federal court.