3M to pay $10.3 billion settlement over 'forever chemicals' found in public drinking water

3M Co., a conglomerate company consisting of multiple brands with over 60,000 products, reached an agreement on Thursday to pay at least $10.3 billion to settle lawsuits regarding "forever chemicals" found in U.S. public drinking water systems, the Associated Press reported.

The company was accused of manufacturing firefighting foam and other products that contained potentially harmful chemical compounds, including per- and polyfluorinated substances, also referred as PFAS.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, PFAS are man-made and used to make non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics, and cleaning products. The potentially harmful chemicals have also been found in food wrappers and personal hygiene products such as shampoos and dental floss. However, the CDC notes that exposure to PFAS chemicals in consumer products is low compared to contaminated public drinking water.

PFAS are referred to as "forever chemicals" because most do not degrade in natural environments. The harmful effects of exposure to these chemicals are unclear; however, PFAS have been linked to some cancers, immune system damage, and liver damage, the AP reported.

3M agreed to a $10.3 billion settlement following a lawsuit from Stuart, Florida, and approximately 300 other communities. However, the company's settlement agreement "is not an admission of liability," according to the company.

"3M is prepared to continue to defend itself," it added.

The company contended that its firefighting foam "was an important and life-saving tool that helped combat dangerous fires, like those caused by jet fuel."

Scott Summy, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs suing 3M, stated that the settlement would be paid over 13 years and could reach $12.5 billion, depending on the number of water systems found to be contaminated.

Summy noted that the Environmental Protection Agency required testing of public drinking water systems over the next three years. He stated that it is unclear what the final settlement amount will be.

"We have reached the largest drinking water settlement in American history, which will be used to help filter PFAS from drinking water that is served to the public," Summy said. "The result is that millions of Americans will have healthier lives without PFAS in their drinking water."

3M chairman Mike Roman called the settlement "an important step forward" and noted that the company has invested in "state-of-the-art water filtration technology in our chemical manufacturing operations" since 2020. Roman stated that the company intends to phase out PFAS production by the end of 2025.

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