Burghausen to sue chemical companies over PFOA contamination

The city of Burghausen plans to file a lawsuit against chemical companies at the Traunstein District Court regarding long-term PFOA contamination. First Mayor Florian Schneider stated that the filing is expected in November.

The city is pursuing a performance claim to recover approximately one million euros in costs already incurred, particularly related to construction projects. Additionally, the municipality intends to register claims totaling between 80 and 100 million euros against 3M, the parent company of Dyneon. This high figure accounts for estimated future costs, as the presence of PFOA in the soil makes excavation and disposal extremely expensive for public and private construction.

Due to the sale of Dyneon, a deadline exists to register these claims within six months of the sale, meaning the city must act before the end of the year. The contamination, linked to the nearby Gendorf Chemical Park, has caused investors to hesitate and cancel projects due to rising costs. While drinking water in the region has been treated with activated carbon filters, the persistent nature of PFOA remains a significant economic and environmental concern.