USA – American multinational conglomerate, 3M has agreed to a payout of up to US$10.3 billion to provide public funding for water supplies contaminated with PFAS.
The conglomerate agreed to the settlement following numerous lawsuits but denies any liability and pledges to defend itself against continuing litigation.
The payout will be spread over 13 years, and 3M has pledged to end all use of PFAS by 2025. But the company denies accusations that it knew of the dangers posed by PFAS to the environment and human health since it began using the chemicals over 20 years ago.
Mike Roman, 3M chairman and CEO says: “This is an important step forward for 3M, which builds on our actions that include our announced exit of PFOA and PFOS manufacturing more than 20 years ago, our more recent investments in state-of-the-art water filtration technology in our chemical manufacturing operations and our announcement that we will exit all PFAS manufacturing by the end of 2025.”
Despite thousands of lawsuits opened against 3M, the company released a statement saying the settlement is “not an admission of liability.”
Lawsuits held against 3M accuse the corporation of spreading PFAS through packaging and F&B products, as well as personal care products like toilet paper and dental floss. This has poisoned public water supplies and posed an increased threat to US citizens.
PFAS chemicals, also known as “forever chemicals” due to their durability in the environment, are linked to hormone disruption, immune system damage, and increased risk of cancer.
The chemicals act as an effective grease repellent for F&B packaging, but the additives have been found to leach into products. Household items using chemicals also expose consumers and the natural environment to toxicity.
Earlier this month, three other companies — DuPont de Nemours Inc. and spinoffs Chemours Co. and Corteva Inc. — reached a US$1.18 billion deal to resolve PFAS complaints by about 300 drinking water providers.
A number of states, airports, firefighter training facilities and private well owners also have sued.
The cases are pending in the U.S. District Court in Charleston, South Carolina, where Judge Richard Gergel is overseeing thousands of complaints alleging PFAS damages.
A trial of a complaint by the city of Stuart, Florida, had been scheduled to begin this month but was delayed to allow time for additional settlement negotiations.
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