PFAS Exposure Symptoms: What Colorado Residents Need to Know About ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals used in industrial processes, firefighting foam, and a number of consumer products. They are among the many substances called “forever chemicals” because of their ability to stay in the environment and accumulate in the human body long-term. Colorado residents should be aware of PFAS exposure symptoms due to ongoing concerns about these chemicals in drinking water.

Burg Simpson is recognized for excellence nationwide in environmental contamination cases. We are currently investigating claims of severe health issues associated with firefighting foam, including multiple cancers.

If you believe your drinking water may be contaminated with PFAS, we encourage you to speak with an experienced lawyer about your legal options. Call Burg Simpson at 303-792-5595 today for a FREE case evaluation at our office in the Denver metro area.

Why Are PFAS a Concern in Colorado?

PFAS exposure is a concern in Colorado because of the significant number of sites that store or use these chemicals. Data from the Environmental Working Group show that numerous communities around Denver, the Front Range, and Colorado Springs have drinking water with PFAS above proposed safety limits.

Colorado also has multiple military bases where PFAS have been detected. Testing of groundwater and surface water has revealed PFAS contamination at the following installations:

• Lowry Air Force Base
• Rocky Mountain Arsenal
• Buckley Air Force Base
• U.S. Air Force Academy
• Peterson Air Force Base
• Schriever Air Force Base
• Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station
• Fort Carson

All instances of PFAS contamination at Colorado military bases are suspected to be from firefighting foam. Suspected fire foam contamination has also been detected in Sugarloaf, a community in Boulder County.

PFAS have a strong chemical bond. They do not degrade naturally in soil or ground water, nor are they broken down by biological processes in the human body.

If PFAS enters a community’s drinking water, it poses a long-term health risk for residents. Chemicals build up in the bloodstream and organs, with ongoing exposure potentially leading to a range of adverse effects.

What Are the Health Effects of PFAS Exposure?

Long-term and heavy exposure to PFAS has been linked to a number of adverse effects on human health. These include:

• Immune system suppression: PFAS disrupts immune function, leading to increased susceptibility to infections and hindering the effectiveness of vaccines. Some research has found probable associations between PFAS and autoimmune diseases like ulcerative colitis.
• Liver damage: Exposure to PFAS is also associated with changes in liver enzymes. These changes are often linked to impairment or inflammation of the liver.
• Hormonal and endocrine disruption: Some studies have found a link between PFAS and thyroid disease. Thyroid dysfunction can negatively impact metabolism, cognitive function, and fertility.
• Pregnancy complications: Along with making conception more difficult, PFAS can increase the risk of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension. These conditions are dangerous for both mother and baby.
• Effects on infants: Babies may be exposed to PFAS in the womb, which can lead to low birth weight. Exposure in utero or via the mother’s breastmilk may result in developmental delays.
• Cancer: Several types of cancer have been linked to PFAS, including kidney cancer and testicular cancer. Emerging research is exploring the link between PFAF exposure and other cancers, including breast cancer, liver cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

PFAS exposure is also associated with increased cholesterol levels. This may seem like a relatively minor issue, but high cholesterol is one of the leading risk factors for heart disease.

If you develop an unexplained health condition, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Stephen J. Burg, Shareholder and Trial Attorney at Burg Simpson, recently told The Denver Post that prompt and accurate diagnosis is crucial for health issues linked to PFAS water contamination — as well as litigation against the parties responsible.

“Trust your instincts, and if you think something’s there, follow up on it, do an internet search, reach out to a lawyer, and get somebody looking into it … The sooner somebody can reach out to a lawyer, especially a law firm that can handle the fight that these corporations often bring, the better off they’ll be.”

What Are the Symptoms of PFAS Exposure?

The symptoms of exposure to PFAS rarely appear right away. “Forever chemicals” pose a threat because they remain in the body and increase over time, not because they are immediately toxic at the levels usually seen when drinking water is contaminated.

While you are unlikely to feel sick when you drink water contaminated with PFAS, there are potential signs after long-term exposure. PFAS exposure symptoms may include:

• Elevated cholesterol levels
  • Detectable through blood tests performed at a doctor’s office
  • Early signs of heart disease may include shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, and swelling in the extremities
• Weakened immune response
  • Getting sick often
  • Lengthy recovery from illnesses
• Liver stress or damage
  • Bloodwork abnormalities (may require specialized testing)
  • Persistent fatigue
  • Unexplained or unintended weight loss
  • Nausea or loss of appetite
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Abdominal discomfort (especially pain in the upper right quadrant)
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), in severe cases
• Thyroid dysfunction
  • Fatigue or low energy
  • Weight gain or weight loss with no clear cause
  • Sensitivity to heat or cold
  • Changes in heart rate
  • Dry skin
  • Thinning hair
  • Depression and changes in mood
• Reproductive and fertility issues
  • Ovulation and hormone disruption in women
  • Changes in sperm count and motility in men
  • Difficulty conceiving
  • Pregnancy complications, such as high blood pressure
• Issues in children
  • Lower birth weight for newborn babies
  • Delays in child development
  • Hyperactivity and ADHD-like symptoms
  • Learning disabilities
• Kidney cancer
  • Blood in the urine
  • Chronic pain in the lower back or the side
  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss and reduced appetite
  • Fever without infection
• Testicular cancer
  • A lump in or on one of the testicles
  • Heaviness in the scrotum
  • Dull groin or abdominal pain
  • Testicular or scrotal pain

You should see a doctor ASAP if you experience any of these symptoms. If you have reason to believe that your property or the water supply that you drink from is contaminated with PFAS, you should also seek legal guidance without delay.

You Have a Limited Time to Take Legal Action in Colorado

The statute of limitations for personal injury and toxic exposure in Colorado is generally 2 years. In PFAS claims, the clock does not necessarily start when you are first exposed. The “discovery rule” in C.R.S. § 13-80-108 will likely apply.

In a discussion with The Denver Post, Burg Simpson Shareholder and mass tort litigator Seth A. Katz provided the following advice for when a PFAS contamination claim may need to be filed:

“Colorado’s statute of limitations means that your window to bring legal action could start as early as the time you learn that you’re ill and begin to experience symptoms and when you could reasonably identify the cause of your illness.”

Do You Have a PFAS Lawsuit in Colorado?

Individuals, companies, and other entities may face lawsuits if their negligence results in PFAS contamination that makes someone sick. Burg Simpson can perform an in-depth investigation to determine if PFAS entered your drinking water and you developed an illness associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Simply proving that you have PFAS exposure symptoms is not enough. You will also need to establish:

• The party or parties who released the contaminant
• What the contaminating substance is
• Causation between the contaminant and your medical issues
• The exposure was sufficient to cause your illness
• Damages you incurred due to the exposure

These claims involve complex evidence. Burg Simpson often enlists environmental scientists, toxicologists, and other experts to provide testimony about the link between PFAS contamination and your condition.

Defendants will aggressively fight toxic exposure lawsuits, both to protect their image and the bottom line. They may try to hide evidence on their use and handling of PFAS. Another common strategy is to dispute the connection between the toxin and the plaintiff’s sickness.

Burg Simpson is prepared for these arguments and tactics. We are a nationwide law firm with 50 years of experience advocating for people who have been wronged by others, including large corporations that poison communities with toxins.

Toxic exposure cases may become mass torts if a sufficient number of people are similarly affected. Our firm has extensive experience handling multi-district and class action litigation, with multiple attorneys appointed to act as lead counsel in these matters by the courts.

Contact Burg Simpson Today

PFAS are colorless, tasteless, and odorless. Many people do not realize they have been exposed until they receive notice from the local government or utility, see media coverage of the contamination, or become aware through community outreach.

Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience symptoms that may be linked to PFAS exposure. If you are diagnosed with cancer, liver damage, or another condition associated with PFAS, you should seek legal guidance without delay.

Speak to a skilled PFAS contamination lawyer free of charge and in complete confidence. Call Burg Simpson at 303-792-5595 today. We serve clients throughout Colorado from our Denver-area office.