MARYLAND (DC News Now) -- Maryland's Office of the Attorney General (OAG) filed a lawsuit Wednesday against W.L. Gore & Associates, alleging the company's manufacturing facilities have released "forever" chemicals into the environment for decades. Gore owns and operates 14 facilities in Maryland, manufacturing products ranging from cables and wires to medical products and clothes. It describes itself as a "materials science company focused on discovery, product innovation and rewarding careers for our Associates." The OAG alleged that 13 of Gore's facilities had contaminated their local environments - specifically in Cecil County - with toxic per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including hazardous perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Scientists find ‘forever chemicals’ lurking in certain smartwatch wristbands These chemicals are known as "forever chemicals" because of how long they remain in the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said PFAS break down very slowly and can build up in people, animals and the environment over time. In releasing these chemicals into the environment, Gore caused widespread contamination of drinking water and the State’s natural resources, including surface water, groundwater, soils, sediments, plant and animal life, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown stated in a news release. "[Gore] knew for decades that PFOA was toxic and posed significant risks to human health and the environment and failed to warn the State or the communities living around its facilities of the dangers posed by its PFAS. Instead, Gore concealed those dangers to protect its corporate image and limit its liability," the OAG wrote. In a statement sent to DC News Now, Gore denied the allegations outlined in the complaint. A spokesperson shared the following: W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) denies the allegations in the complaint and is surprised by the Maryland Attorney General’s decision to initiate legal action, particularly in light of our proactive and intensive engagement with state regulators over the past two years. As recently as this morning, we submitted to the state a detailed testing report for our Cherry Hill facility, which summarizes nearly two years of comprehensive ground water investigation.  This demonstrates Gore’s continuous, proactive engagement with the Maryland regulators since learning two years ago about the presence of PFOA in ground water near our Cherry Hill facility.  We have been working with Maryland, employing the most current, reliable science and technology to assess the potential impact of our operations and guide our ongoing, collaborative efforts to protect the environment. As a responsible manufacturer, we strive to always adopt the best available control technologies and implement the most advanced practices to fulfill our commitment to be a good steward of the environment and a good neighbor. Our actions have reflected the emerging science of PFAS and evolving regulations. Gore has been a community partner as well as a manufacturer of products of high societal value in Maryland for decades.  Our friends, families, neighbors and fellow Associates call Cecil County home and it’s important to us that we are a valued member of the community.  More information about our efforts can be found at: https://forward.gore.com/ W. L. Gore & Associates Potbelly Sandwich Shop to open at L’Enfant Plaza “While we appreciate Gore’s limited investigation to ascertain the extent of PFAS contamination around its facilities, much more needs to be done to protect the community and the health of residents,” Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain stated in part in a news release.  The OAG's lawsuit claimed Gore violated Maryland environmental law and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). "The State seeks broad relief from Gore, including recovery of the costs of investigating the scope of contamination; the costs of drinking water testing, monitoring, and treatment; the costs to remediate the contamination; and damages for harm to state-owned land and resources," the OAG stated.