A class action lawsuit accuses the makers of Period Underwear of allegedly misleading consumers by making them believe the products are "PFAS-free" when the absorbent undergarments allegedly are not.
PFAS are "often referred to as 'forever chemicals' because they are highly persistent and do not biodegrade or break down naturally in the environment," says the lawsuit against The Period Company, filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
The company's marketing materials portray the underwear as a "healthy, and sustainable choice for women and the
environment," and state that they are PFAS-free, according to the lawsuit.
"TPC’s marketing materials are false, deceptive, and misleading," the suit states. "In reality, independent testing has confirmed the existence of multiple PFAS chemicals in TPC Period Underwear using industry standard testing. The presence of PFAS chemicals contradicts TPC’s pervasive and unvarying representations that its products are environmentally sustainable, non-toxic, and PFAS- free."
The Period Company allegedly only tests its underwear for less than 1% of the known PFAS chemicals, "but nevertheless tells consumers, without qualification, that its Period Underwear is PFAS-free," the suit further states.
It seeks damages plus interest and refunds for customers who purchased the products, plus attorney fees and court costs.
The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Eric S. Dwoskin of Dwoskin Wasdin LLP, of Boca Raton, Florida, and Robert G. Loewy, of the Law Offices of Robert G. Loewy P.C., of Aliso Viejo.
Brewer v. The Period Company, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, 2:23-cv-09526