The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office has filed a complaint in the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court seeking payment from DuPont Chemical and two other chemical companies stemming from their production and proliferation of "forever chemicals," according to Friday press release.

According to the release, the Pennsylvania AG Michelle Henry will seek restitution, civil penalties, and "other costs to be determined" from DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva, companies which the AG office says "caused widespread environmental damages" by producing a wide array of chemicals, known as "forever chemicals," which accumulate in organisms and cause several known health issues in humans and animals.

In Lawrence County, the Beaver and Mahoning rivers were both tested and contained elevated levels of these "forever chemicals," according to a study and accompanying map released by the US Geological Survey. 

In the complaint, the Pennsylvania AG alleged that the three companies are also in violation of Pennsylvania's Consumer Protection Law, issuing the following statement:

“For decades, these companies have known the dangers and damages these products can inflict on humans, animals, and our natural resources. Pennsylvanians have a right to breathe clean air and drink clean water. This civil action seeks recovery of costs related to cleaning up these harmful chemicals, as well as penalties against companies who have chosen to look the other way.”

The complaint gives the chemical companies 20 days to respond to the suit's allegations. While no dollar amount is provided in the lawsuit, it does state that the AG's office is seeking repayment for all damages that Pennsylvania has suffered, including any injuries, property and environmental damage, alongside restitution for the companies' profits from selling "forever chemicals."

The suit also requests the court compel the companies to pay for all future cleanup efforts relating to these chemicals.