3M to pay $7.35bn to settle forever chemical groundwater claims

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 21:57 · Archive

3M has agreed to pay up to $7.35 billion to settle lawsuits over groundwater contamination from PFAS chemicals.

3M has agreed to pay up to $7.35 billion to settle lawsuits from people who say they were sickened by groundwater contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS. The chemicals were used in firefighting foam and other consumer products, and contaminated groundwater near military bases, airports and other locations. The St. Paul, Minnesota-based company announced the settlement on Tuesday and will distribute the money over nine years to as many as 120,000 people. 3M did not admit liability for the contamination.

Called "forever chemicals" because they do not degrade naturally in the environment, PFAS have been linked to health problems including liver and immune system damage and some cancers. They are also used in nonstick, water- and grease-resistant products such as clothing and cookware. 3M chairman William Brown called the settlement a "significant milestone" that substantially reduces uncertainty from the litigation.

The company has previously reached other PFAS-related settlements, including a $450 million agreement with New Jersey over natural resource contamination and a deal to pay more than $10 billion to U.S. public drinking water systems. Other manufacturers, including DuPont de Nemours and spinoffs Chemours and Corteva, have agreed to settlements totalling more than $1 billion to resolve PFAS claims. Fred Thompson, an attorney with Motley Rice who helped negotiate the settlement for the plaintiffs, said it was welcome news for "the thousands of victims who have sought answers and accountability for nearly a decade".

How it is being reported

• 3M agrees to pay more than $7 billion to settle 'forever chemical' groundwater contamination claims3M has agreed to pay up to $7.35 billion to settle lawsuits over groundwater contamination from potentially harmful chemicals in firefighting foam and other products.News4Jax · 4 Nov, 21:06
• 3M agrees to pay more than $7 billion to settle 'forever chemical' groundwater contamination claims3M has agreed to pay up to $7.35 billion to settle lawsuits over groundwater contamination from potentially harmful chemicals in firefighting foam and other products.Clickorlando · 4 Nov, 21:06

In this story: 3M · St. Paul · Minnesota · William Brown · DuPont de Nemours Inc. · Chemours Co. · Corteva Inc. · Fred Thompson

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