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Georgia lawmakers seek protection for the “carpet capital of the world”

2/19/25

By: Noël Couch, Joshua G. Ferguson, and Kevin G. Kenneally

Manufacturers in Dalton, Georgia, better known as the “carpet capital of the world,” are battling potentially costly lawsuits that accuse the carpet industry of contaminating local drinking water with Per- and Poly- fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS are alleged to cause a host of negative health effects including certain types of cancer. On February 4, 2025, Republicans in the Georgia State Legislature introduced House Bill 211 to provide immunity to such manufacturers from certain lawsuits related to PFAS. 

Under the Bill, any entity that is the recipient of PFAS could not be held liable for damages in any action involving a claim arising from their use, receipt, or disposal of PFAS. The Bill includes an exception for claims brought by the Georgia Environment Protection Division. The legislation may shield, at least partially, from liability some of the world’s largest carpet manufacturers such as Shaw Industries Group, Inc. and Mohawk Industries, Inc. that are the target of such claims. These manufacturers maintain a significant presence in Dalton, Georgia, which is home to the carpet industry and employs tens of thousands in the region. Notably, the Bill would not protect companies alleged to have manufactured the chemicals. 

As alleged, carpet manufacturers had purchased products from chemical product manufacturers in order to add stain- and water-resistance to their own flooring products. The wastewater from the carpet manufacturer plants was then allegedly discharged into local waterways resulting in water contamination. Mohawk Industries, Inc. filed a lawsuit against DuPont and 3M who sold chemicals to it, alleging fraud and claiming both companies deliberately withheld information about the dangers of PFAS.

“Forever chemicals” are seemingly ubiquitous and with the potential for nearly any person or company to be impacted, state legislators across the U.S. are taking action, from those seeking to protect what may be viewed as a blameless intermediary, to those implementing bans on the manufacture of PFAS in product categories. Legislation has been introduced, ongoing, or implemented in states across the U.S. concerning a wide variety of products such as artificial turf, cleaning products, cookware, apparel, pesticides, dental floss, food, food packaging, personal care products, and ski wax, among others. 

As PFAS-related legislation and litigation develop, such bills and decisions may set a precedent for companies in the carpet industry, as well as those in the business of product manufacturing at large. This is an important matter to which companies may want to remain vigilant. For more information, please contact Noël Couch at noel.couch@fmglaw.com, Joshua G. Ferguson at joshua.ferguson@fmglaw.com, Kevin G. Kenneally at kevin.kenneally@fmglaw.com or your local FMG attorney.