Chemical manufacturing giant 3M held liable for contaminating drinking water with “forever chemicals” used in everything from firefighting foam to nonstick coatings.
Forever chemicals, also known as PFAS (named after their per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances), don’t degrade naturally in the environment or in the human body. As a consequence, ingesting products — or drinking water — contaminated with the chemicals leads to various health problems including damage to the liver and immune system, hormone interference, developmental defects and cancer. The PFAS are favored by companies like 3M and used in products because of their waterproof and non-stick properties.
The chemicals are so damaging that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tried to regulate their use in order to limit the amount found in drinking water. Shockingly, the chemicals were in 98% of blood samples collected between 1999-2000 — prior to regulations.
Once approved, the $10.3 billion deal would require 3M to pay the settlement out over the next 13 years to areas affected by their contamination. The company did not admit any liability and benefits from the settlement significantly as it eliminates the need for further litigation in light of a looming federal trial brought by the city of Stuart, Florida. 3Ms stock also rose almost 8% when news of the deal initially spread as a settlement keeps the company away from court.
The company originally announced it would work to remove forever chemicals from its manufacturing more than 20 years ago when it vowed to “exit all PFAS manufacturing by the end of 2025” according to 3M chairman and CEO Mike Roman.
Conveniently, the pact — currently the largest drinking water settlement in American history — protects 3M from all present and future claims that they polluted drinking water supplies at any level.
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