A growing wave of lawsuits is reshaping the national response to PFAS contamination. From local water systems to military communities, cities and residents are taking legal action to hold polluters accountable for decades of environmental damage.

When it comes to PFAS, one of the most common questions people ask is simple, why were these chemicals allowed in the first place, and who is responsible for fixing the problem now. The answer is complex, shaped by decades of evolving science, limited oversight, and growing public awareness.