Now it is clear that the residents of Rönneby sues those responsible for the toxic emissions of the substance PFOS in drinking water.
It was in October 2014 after Laikas reportage in the Kalla Fakta that PFAS association, consisting of a group of people living in Rönneby contacted the law firm to initiate legal proceedings against those responsible. The requirement of the law firm to take the case was that at least 50 households would endorse the lawsuit.
During Tuesday night PFAS association had managed to collect 66 households and 124 people who would stand behind the lawsuit before meeting with Carat Attorneys.
– It feels great. We will have greater impact and sustainability in economic terms. It still costs money to go to court, says Herman Afzelius founder of PFAS association.
In the past week, Herman Afzelius have received more calls from people who have shown interest to participate in the lawsuit. In the current situation, there are about ten households that are waiting for test results that will show if they have high levels of PFOS.
– I would not be surprised if we get over a hundred people, there are so incredibly many people are affected, says Herman Afzelius.
The next step is to the PFAS association together with the law firm to decide to whom they should direct criticism. It is not just the Armed Forces to sights set on.
– There are several potential counterparties for example Försvarsmakten, American manufactures or the water supplier. It is important to select the right one – then it is only to make it happen, Herman Afzelius said.
“The toxic drinking water”
The toxic substance PFOS belongs to a group of perfluorinated substances called PFAS. PFOS was found in firefighting foam used in military F17’s fire practice in Kallinge. The fire foam has during over 30 years leaked into the drinking water which are suspected of increasing risk for diseases like cancer and liver diseases.
The toxic drinking water may have affected around 20 000 people, and worst residents in Kallinge outside Rönneby affected.
19 well-known professors of chemical have called for a commission of inquiry to avoid that similar accidents will happened again.
– There ‘s no doubt that this is the most serious chemical accident in modern time in Sweden, says Åke Bergman, Professor of Environmental Chemistry .
The minister of the environment is also concerned.
– It goes down in history in Sweden and one of them more sadly environmental damage that we have, says Environment Minister Åsa Ramson.